“Probably so.”
Bu Eunseol nodded, having read Hyeok Sojin’s thoughts.
“The fact that they deliberately flew a kite to expose the location… it was either to invite outsiders strong enough to ascend four hundred zhang, or perhaps because, for some reason, they needed to reveal the Wind God Palace’s location.”
Bu Eunseol immediately assumed a disguise.
After all, identities such as the Martial Soul Command Lord, Sword King Seon Woojin, or the Bullet King’s disciple Seolso could all spark conflicts between sects if revealed.
“Are you using Pyo Un’s identity?”
The disguise Bu Eunseol had chosen was Pyo Un, the Lord of the Dragon-Tiger Hall of the Heaven and Earth Severing Sect.
“It’s temporary. Considering the level of the Wind God Palace, I’ll probably have to reveal my true identity eventually.”
“So for now, you plan to enter as one of my subordinates.”
“Exactly. Let’s head there first.”
“Yes.”
Bu Eunseol and Hyeok Sojin immediately moved toward the peak of Haba Snow Mountain.
After enduring the cold and climbing for a considerable time, near the main summit they spotted a vast white castle that seemed to blanket the entire mountain.
“If something like this were here, the Wind God Palace’s location would have been discovered long ago.”
Hyeok Sojin was astonished.
Most likely, the Wind God Palace—just like with the kite—was concealing its main base through some mysterious power.
“Please come in.”
But then something strange happened.
As Bu Eunseol and Hyeok Sojin approached the entrance of the Wind God Palace, the gates opened on their own, and two women dressed in white appeared as though they had been waiting, politely guiding them inside.
“…?”
Bu Eunseol and Hyeok Sojin exchanged glances filled with bewilderment.
Clearly, these women seemed to have mistaken them for someone else.
But since it wasn’t their fault… even if it meant climbing three mountains, they had to enter the Wind God Palace first.
Tap, tap.
The white-robed women walked lightly like butterflies toward the interior of the castle.
Once inside the palace, it truly displayed the typical appearance of a mysterious sect: beautiful gardens accompanied by halls built in an extremely unique style unlike anything from the Central Plains.
The people walking around were all young women, dressed in flowing white robes with their hair elegantly pinned up.
“This way.”
The place the white-robed woman guided them to was a lavishly decorated banquet hall.
It was divided into two floors: on the first floor were musicians playing instruments, while the second floor held seats for distinguished guests—exactly fifteen in total.
‘Fifteen people were invited, it seems.’
Bu Eunseol and Hyeok Sojin exchanged glances once more.
For the Wind God Palace to invite such a number of people meant this was no ordinary banquet; there had to be a special purpose.
“Please wait here for a moment.”
After guiding Bu Eunseol and Hyeok Sojin to their seats, the white-robed woman left the way she had come.
The two quietly observed their surroundings and sat down.
‘They’re experts. And young.’
The men filling the banquet seats were all in their twenties or thirties, and their auras were exceptionally outstanding.
Three in particular caught Bu Eunseol’s eye: a man wearing a cotton veil woven from heavenly silk thread, a youth who kept a kind smile on his face, and a man wearing an arrogant expression.
“Brother Bu, that one seems to be Yeo Mungi, the illegitimate son of the Jiangnan Martial Alliance Leader.” Hyeok Sojin whispered to Bu Eunseol, apparently recognizing the arrogant-looking man. “Even though he’s from the orthodox side, he’s infamous for having a foul personality and cruel methods. To think he’d come to a place like this.”
Thud, thud.
At that moment, accompanied by footsteps, an old woman with skin like ancient tree bark appeared in the banquet hall.
It was none other than Hyang Gun-byeong, the supreme elder of the Wind God Palace.
She scanned the fully occupied seats and furrowed her brow.
“There seems to be a mistake.”
Then, in a stern voice, she continued.
“Two guests who were not invited to this palace’s banquet have arrived.”
Elder Hyang swept the interior with cold eyes.
Her gaze finally landed on Bu Eunseol and Hyeok Sojin, who were dressed particularly shabbily.
The two had spent six full days braving the elements in search of the Wind God Palace, so their clothes could not help but be filthy.
“This old woman’s eyes are failing her; I cannot recognize these two young heroes.”
She looked at Bu Eunseol and Hyeok Sojin and asked calmly,
“From where do you hail, and who might you be?”
“I am Pyo Un, Lord of the Dragon-Tiger Hall of the Heaven and Earth Severing Sect.”
“Heaven and Earth Severing Sect?”
Tilting her head, Elder Hyang turned her gaze to Hyeok Sojin.
“I am Hyeok Sojin.”
A murmur rippled through the banquet hall.
Hyeok Sojin—the grandson of the terrifying Phantom Demon Hyeok Gongbaek, and the man soon to become the next leader of the Heaven and Earth Severing Sect.
“How were you two able to enter our sect without an invitation?”
“When we arrived here, a young woman guided us in.”
At Hyeok Sojin’s reply, the elder frowned and said, “What this elder means is—how did you even find the entrance to our sect?”
Bu Eunseol answered this time.
“We saw a tower floating in the sky, climbed up, and discovered a large kite connected to this place.”
“You personally confirmed the kite that was flown?”
“Yes.”
Elder Hyang let out an impressed “Ho…” and wore a quite surprised expression.
Not only her—the surrounding men also opened their mouths in disbelief.
“You possess internal energy sufficient to perform the Land Flight Technique?”
To Elder Hyang Gun-byeong’s question, Bu Eunseol answered honestly.
“No. Unable to suppress our curiosity, we used the Striking Force Union Technique to ascend.”
At that, soft chuckles erupted from various parts of the banquet hall.
‘So in the end, to reach the Wind God Palace, they risked their lives by leaping into the sky?’
But Elder Hyang ignored the murmurs and nodded.
“Then you are not unqualified.”
She turned to the disciple standing behind her.
“Add two more seats.”
The banquet hall was spacious, so adding two seats caused no inconvenience.
From her words, it appeared that anyone who possessed the skill to leap into the air and confirm the kite earned the right to enter the Wind God Palace.
Rustle, rustle.
At that moment, maids rushed in and quickly added the extra seats.
Once the new places were prepared, two more young men brimming with lively energy entered the banquet hall.
Bu Eunseol and Hyeok Sojin glanced at them and shared the same thought.
‘Their martial arts don’t seem particularly outstanding.’
Though the newcomers also possessed considerable aura, in Bu Eunseol and Hyeok Sojin’s eyes, they were merely promising young juniors—nothing more, nothing less.
Moreover, they had probably not reached the kite leading to the Wind God Tower using the Land Flight Technique.
Clearly, these two had been formally invited by the Wind God Palace.
“Brother Bu, it seems everyone here except us was invited.”
At Hyeok Sojin’s whisper, Bu Eunseol merely nodded.
The banquet continued for some time.
Piles of exquisite delicacies filled the tables, yet most of the attendees barely touched their food.
It appeared their true purpose for coming to the Wind God Palace lay elsewhere.
About one hour passed.
Ziiing.
With the sound of a gong, white-robed disciples carried a uniquely shaped round stone down to the first floor of the banquet hall.
Judging by the way four martial-trained women grunted as they transported it, it was no ordinary rock.
Once the large stone was set in place, Elder Hyang took a deep breath and spoke.
“I express my deepest gratitude to all you young heroes who have traveled great distances without hesitation in response to our palace’s invitation.”
She looked at the young men seated in the banquet hall and continued in a clear voice.
“Our sect’s Wind and Cloud Divine Energy was cut off more than a hundred years ago, and now it can only be obtained through the Harmony of Sun and Moon.”
Raising her voice once more, she said, “Therefore, generation after generation, our palace has sought out young heroes of outstanding talent capable of mastering the Wind and Cloud Divine Energy to serve as consorts to our young palace lord.”
At that moment, Bu Eunseol and Hyeok Sojin, who had been listening silently, looked at each other.
Only now did they finally grasp what was happening.
‘So this is a grand consort-selection conference?’
The focus in Bu Eunseol’s and Hyeok Sojin’s eyes blurred as they stared at one another.
‘No wonder so many young prodigies are gathered…’
Though phrased euphemistically as “Harmony of Sun and Moon,” in truth, the Wind and Cloud Divine Energy could be obtained through the union of man and woman.
In the female-only Wind God Palace, the Wind Spirit Physique lineage had been severed over a hundred years ago. Since then, they had apparently been selecting suitable consorts from outside to continue the Wind and Cloud Divine Energy lineage.
‘This is troublesome.’
Bu Eunseol bit his lip.
To heal his body, he needed the Wind and Cloud Divine Energy.
But even within the Wind God Palace, the lineage had been cut off… which meant that to obtain it, he would have to become a live-in son-in-law of the palace.
In that sense, the fact that they were holding an open consort-selection conference could be considered fortunate.
[Brother Bu. Something feels off.]
At that moment, Hyeok Sojin sent a transmission.
[No matter how much it’s the Wind God Palace, how could one cultivate the Wind and Cloud Divine Energy just through dual cultivation?]
He sent another transmission with a dumbfounded expression.
[If dual cultivation with a woman of the Wind God Palace grants the Wind and Cloud Divine Energy… then wouldn’t the palace be able to turn any martial artist in the world into a Wind God if they simply wanted to?]
It was a somewhat absurd notion, yet it held logic.
If mere dual cultivation could bestow the Wind and Cloud Divine Energy, then if the palace so desired, they could produce countless Wind Gods.
At that moment, Elder Hyang’s clear voice continued.
“Come down and infuse your internal energy into this stone. The Wind and Cloud Divine Energy can only be obtained by those born with at least three of the Five Elemental Energies.”
Hyeok Sojin’s question was immediately answered.
To acquire the Wind and Cloud Divine Energy, one had to be innately born with at least three of the Five Elemental Energies.
The Wind God Palace was using this mysterious stone to discern the Five Elemental Energies within a person’s body.
“I’ll go first.”
At that moment, a young man seated beside Hyeok Sojin stood up and stepped forward.
Whether intentional or not, he casually adjusted the ornament on the sword hanging at his waist as he rose.
‘He’s from the Golden Blade Sect.’
The tassel on the man’s sword gleamed with golden light.
Though they no longer engaged in active martial affairs, the Golden Blade Sect had long been regarded as equal to the Sword Pavilion.
Ziiing.
The man descended to the first floor and slowly extended his hand toward the large stone.
As he infused his internal energy, a qi spread outward, and red light flashed from the stone.
“Hoho.”
As explosive red radiance burst in all directions, the man shrugged and wore a confident smile.
With such brilliance, he clearly believed he had passed.
“I’m sorry, Young Master Deung.”
But Elder Hyang shook her head.
“You are eliminated.”
“What does that mean?”
“When a martial expert who has trained in internal cultivation methods touches it, the Li Fire Energy naturally manifests to some degree.”
Instantly, the man’s face darkened.
In short, the red light had appeared only because he possessed internal energy—not because he had the constitution to obtain the Wind and Cloud Divine Energy.
“That can’t be! This one has cultivated the Golden Spirit Divine Art; my internal energy exceeds four jiazi!”
“Young Master Deung.”
Elder Hyang spoke calmly.
“I am well aware that you possess profound martial arts and are outstanding in every respect.”
She wore an apologetic expression.
“However, our palace’s Wind and Cloud Divine Energy can only manifest in those born with three or more of the Five Elemental Energies. There is no helping it.”
Though Elder Hyang spoke gently, the Golden Blade Sect man’s face flushed red and blue.
Finally, with a furious shout—“I will not forget this humiliation!”—he stormed out of the banquet hall.
The others wore somewhat darkened expressions.
Normally, a consort-selection conference would naturally seek those of excellent bloodline and talent.
Yet the Wind God Palace’s condition was possessing the Five Elemental Energies—a unique qi that no one had ever heard of before.
So why had they not announced the condition in advance?
“That’s strange.”
At that moment, the man wearing the cotton veil seated opposite Bu Eunseol spoke.
“If what the Wind God Palace desires is someone with the Five Elemental Energies, and you possess a precious object capable of discerning it… why invite us at all?”
He stared at Elder Hyang with gleaming eyes beneath the veil.
“Wouldn’t it be simpler to carry that stone around the martial world and have people touch it directly?”
The veiled man’s words struck at the core issue, and the others nodded in agreement.
His statement was perfectly logical and cut straight to the heart of the matter.
“You speak correctly. There are two reasons our palace is holding this consort-selection conference.”
Elder Hyang said, “First, if we did not formally invite people and explain the reason, few would willingly infuse their internal energy into the Five Elements Stone. Suspicion would naturally arise.”
She continued.
“Originally, our sect quietly wandered the martial world in secret, using the Five Elements Stone to find suitable consorts. But after five years without finding a suitable candidate…”
A bright light shone in Elder Hyang’s eyes.
“…we began selecting young prodigies from sects that train in Great Power Art or Primordial Origin Art lineages—those with reputations in the martial world—and invited them. That is the second reason.”
Only then did understanding “Ah…” sounds escape from those present.
All the young men here had trained in internal methods of the Great Power Art or Primordial Origin Art lineages—techniques capable of instantly unleashing explosive true qi.
“If one has properly mastered such internal cultivation methods, the probability of possessing the Five Elemental Energies is high.”
At the veiled man’s words, Elder Hyang nodded.
“Precisely.”
It turned out that, from the Wind God Palace’s perspective, they had done their utmost to find a suitable consort to jointly cultivate the Wind and Cloud Divine Energy.
After five years of fruitless searching, they had resorted to holding the consort-selection conference in accordance with palace rules.
“But one more reason is missing.”
The veiled man said coldly.
“Shouldn’t there be one additional condition in the selection criteria?”
“What do you mean?”
“That only those unrecognized by their sects or illegitimate sons of families should be chosen.”
At those words, the young men seated in the banquet hall looked at one another.
Just as the veiled man said, most of the young prodigies present, despite their outstanding abilities, either lacked the support of the mainstream factions in their sects or were illegitimate sons of their families.
“Young Master Zhuge, your wisdom is truly remarkable. That must be why you abandoned your position as young master and left your family to wander the martial world.”
When Elder Hyang revealed his identity, the veiled man had no choice but to remove his mask.
Those present—especially Bu Eunseol and Hyeok Sojin—were greatly shocked.
The man beneath the veil was none other than
Zhuge Seoun, the young master of the Zhuge family, whom Bu Eunseol and Hyeok Sojin had once helped deal with the Mad Soul Physician.
At that time, thanks to Bu Eunseol, he had gained an undeserved, absurdly exaggerated reputation.
As a result, he had been forced to seclude himself in closed-door training, unable to show his face in the martial world.
But it seemed he had realized something.
Suddenly, contrary to the duties of a family young master, he wished to live as a true wanderer of the martial world.
When the family head refused permission, Zhuge Seoun had forced his way out to wander anyway.
In the end, his actions incurred the family head’s wrath, and he was practically expelled from the Zhuge family.
“Correct. As Young Master Zhuge said, that condition is also included.”
Elder Hyang acknowledged without evasion.
“That way, they will not feel regret and can willingly leave their sect or family to become live-in sons-in-law of our palace.”
This point was understandable from the Wind God Palace’s perspective.
If they carelessly transmitted the Wind and Cloud Divine Energy—which could allow one to dominate the martial world—to someone from another sect, that person might simply take the divine energy and leave without a second thought.
Thus, the palace had deliberately selected candidates who had nowhere else to return to, or who could remain in the Wind God Palace without reluctance.
“Have all your questions been answered?”
At that moment, Yeo Mungi, the illegitimate son of the Jiangnan Martial Alliance Leader, spoke.
“No matter how valuable the Wind and Cloud Divine Energy may be, if the young palace lord’s appearance is unsightly, that too would be a hardship, would it not?”
He continued in a clear voice.
“She might even have some physical inconvenience or a fatal flaw as a woman.”
Though somewhat rude, several of the men nodded.
Obtaining the Wind and Cloud Divine Energy and ruling the world was appealing, but if the young palace lord’s appearance was hideous, or if she possessed an intolerable defect?
Even if they were offered a secret method to become immortals instead of the divine energy, they would never have attended this conference.
“Of course that is possible.”
Elder Hyang did not grow angry.
Instead, she wore a subtle smile.
“But rest assured. This elder guarantees that the young palace lord possesses the most beautiful appearance in our palace.”
At those words, the hardened expressions of several men brightened.
The disciples of the Wind God Palace who had guided them here all had clear skin and beautiful features.
If the young palace lord was the most beautiful among them, there was little cause for worry.
“Do you understand now?”
Yeo Mungi nodded with a smile.
“Then that’s good.”
Elder Hyang nodded as well and announced in a loud voice.
“From this moment, the consort-selection conference will officially begin. If anyone opposes our palace’s event, please leave now.”
She added one more sentence.
“For your information, the consort-selection conference includes gates so dangerous that life is not guaranteed… and once you participate, you may never withdraw midway.”
From the way she spoke, it seemed there truly were life-risking trials involved.
Without hesitation, Bu Eunseol rose from his seat.
An ordinary martial artist might have had no choice but to participate in the conference to heal their body.
But Bu Eunseol had no intention of deceiving the Wind God Palace with false pretenses to obtain their secret divine energy.
Even if it meant his body would never recover, he had no desire to become a live-in son-in-law.
[Brother Bu.]
Reading Bu Eunseol’s thoughts, Hyeok Sojin quickly grabbed his hand.
[You can’t. If you do that, your body won’t recover.]
Bu Eunseol shook his head.
[Seeing that they’re holding a consort-selection conference of this scale, the Wind God Palace is clearly not in a normal situation. How could I deceive them just to heal my own body?]
Hyeok Sojin quickly interrupted.
[I know how honest you are, Brother Bu. But if I become the son-in-law of the Wind God Palace, wouldn’t that solve everything?]
[What?]
[I’ll do it. Then I can simply transfer the Wind and Cloud Divine Energy to you, Brother Bu.]
Hyeok Sojin was prepared to sacrifice himself—to participate in the consort-selection conference and become the live-in son-in-law of the Wind God Palace—all for the sake of healing Bu Eunseol’s body.
