Chapter 142

Even though the warm spring air embraced the world, snow could still be seen in the Daepa Mountain Range.

Though smaller compared to the Jinryeong Mountain Range, the Daepa Mountain Range is still a massive range that divides three provinces.

The highest peak, Shennongding, towers over 3,000 meters above sea level. The mountain range, covered in eternal snow, still seemed to hold onto winter, with icy winds blowing through the valleys.

However, even the biting wind couldn’t break the will of people.

Especially when those people were already looking beyond the laws of nature, aiming for higher realms.

Though the cold was still present, their protective techniques provided some warmth, and the spring air gently enveloped even the snow-covered peaks.

*Crunch. Crunch.*

They moved forward, stepping on what could be snow or ice.

Though not yet at the peak of Shennongding, they had already climbed to a considerable altitude.

Even for Peak Masters, climbing to such heights for a search was no easy feat. Yet, no one turned back.

Part of it might have been the sunk cost of coming this far, but more than that, seeing the unwavering figure leading the way filled them with an inexplicable confidence that they were on the right path.

The presence of a leader who could inspire such strong belief had the power to overcome even the harshest external conditions.

“Stop.”

Finally, Namgung Woo halted.

Where he stood.

The end of the valley. A dead end blocked by a cliff. It was enough to make one doubt if this was truly the right place, but they silently prepared for battle.

Though their coordination wasn’t perfect yet, and each took a different stance and approach, the unity in following orders was firmly established.

“Are we really in the right place? It’s just a cliff… There’s no waterfall or anything behind it…”

“No. I think this is the right place, sister.”

Myorin answered Paeng Ha-ryeong, who was squinting and looking around, wondering if she had missed something.

In Myorin’s mind, the Spirit Ghost Flame was buzzing, signaling something unusual.

“This is… bizarre. Is it a spell? Or a formation technique…?”

Even for Myorin, a high-ranking spellcaster, the structure was too complex to fully grasp.

A dual-layered structure: spells on the outside, formation techniques on the inside. Even if you tried to unravel the formation inside, the outer spell would block you, and even if you tried to decode the spell outside, the inner formation would still hold, making it nearly impossible to break.

Though she couldn’t fully understand the structure, Myorin had a vague sense that both layers needed to be dismantled simultaneously.

Jegal Seon-a, who had considerable knowledge of formation techniques, though limited in spells, thought the same.

As the two with the most knowledge of spells and formations stared at the cliff, the others began to approach and examine it as well.

“It just looks like a cliff.”

“The energy feels a bit off…”

“Should we try cutting it?”

“Can’t we just go in?”

Though no one dared to touch it recklessly, everyone tried to sense something unusual using all their senses.

Then, someone approached Namgung Woo.

“Great Master of Changcheon Pavilion. May I try entering inside and coming back?”

It was So Un-pyeong, known as the Lone Shadow Chasing Light Steps.

So Un-pyeong had left a strong impression on Namgung Woo. During the journey from Luoyang on horseback, So Un-pyeong, finding horses unfamiliar and slow, had abandoned his horse and followed using his lightness skills.

His nickname, Lone Shadow Chasing Light Steps, was a martial art combining footwork, body techniques, and lightness skills, creating a perfect synergy without any weaknesses.

Of course, the fact that he could keep up with horses on foot was largely due to his own remarkable achievements.

Perhaps it was confidence in his own abilities.

So Un-pyeong seemed to believe he could find a way out even within that bizarrely complex spell formation.

“That doesn’t seem like a good idea.”

It was Myorin who stopped him.

“…What do you mean by that?”

So Un-pyeong, his confidence in his lightness skills provoked, asked in a somewhat aggressive tone.

But Myorin was someone who had stood her ground even against Yi Ja-ryong.

Without blinking, Myorin replied immediately.

“Being good at lightness skills and escaping a spell formation are completely different realms.”

“My lightness skills can break through formation techniques.”

“Ordinary formation techniques and this are on different levels. The gap between you and our Great Master is that big.”

“Myorin.”

Seeing the conversation getting too heated, Namgung Woo stepped in to forcibly stop the argument.

“Our member spoke too harshly. I apologize on her behalf. But her words do have merit. Why not leave breaking through this to us?”

While Myorin and Jegal Seon-a had only roughly deduced the structure based on their knowledge and what was visible, Namgung Woo was different.

His Azure Tranquility Eyes could see through even the complex spell formation.

He just lacked the knowledge of spells and formations to explain it properly.

From what Namgung Woo saw with his Azure Tranquility Eyes, if So Un-pyeong entered alone, he wouldn’t just struggle to find an exit—he’d be torn apart by the swirling energy currents inside.

Even with his lightness skills, he might hold out for a while, but without finding a way out, it would only be a matter of time.

So Namgung Woo chose a much simpler and faster method.

“We’ll just break through.”

In an instant, Sword Aura wrapped around the drawn Bonding.

“Great Master Yi, please handle the aftermath.”

“Ugh. You’re giving me a tough task. Alright.”

Yi Ho-yeong moved the others back and called out four people.

“Unyielding Thunder Fist, Ilri Geumyeongsak, Tujeon Jungsok, Dohee. You four, stand two on each side of me, forming a semicircle. I’ll use you as anchors to deploy the energy barrier.”

Byung Chan-ju, Cheok Mu-hong, Geumshin, Paeng Ha-ryeong.

These four were the most skilled among the group, aside from Namgung Woo and Yi Ho-yeong.

Under slightly envious and jealous gazes, the four took their positions. Judging that preparations were complete, Namgung Woo drew upon the energy of the Three Thousand Divine Techniques, layering Sword Aura once more.

The combined Aura Energy of the Three Thousand Divine Techniques.

Namgung Woo’s strongest weapon, the Boundless Sword Technique’s ultimate move, Infinite Flow’s Severing Blade, slashed down the cliff.

*Kwaaaaaaaang—!*

A deafening roar shook the Daepa Mountain Range.

Even with protective techniques, the shockwave left ears ringing and hearts pounding uncontrollably.

Without the first layer of the energy barrier, the shockwave alone would have caused severe internal injuries.

“This is insane. Is this what a Peerless Master is like…?”

“The cliff…”

One Blade Severing the Cliff.

With a single swing of his sword, the cliff was split.

Even for martial artists who had transcended human limits, this was something they had only heard of in legends or myths.

As if it had always been that way.

The cliff, split cleanly, revealed the interior tightly bound by spells and formation techniques.

Namgung Woo stood there, Bonding casually hanging by his side.

Having unleashed a sword strike that martial artists could only dream of, he stood there as if he had merely drawn a line.

“We’re going in.”