Chapter 26

Qing lives separately.

Qing is the direct disciple of Seomun Sulin.

However, that doesn’t mean she’s part of the Divine Maiden Sect.

Her bizarre position as Elder Taesang’s outer disciple kept her from entering the communal areas where other sects live.

Why? Because she’s just too important.

Seomun Sulin, a master who achieved Reverse Flow and Return to Youth, was a significant figure of her time.

Having handed over the position of Sect Leader to the Zhang Disciple long ago, Qing’s allocation was that of the youngest disciple of the Sect Leader.

But among the big sects, there was a culture of thinking, “Aren’t we all part of the same family?”

They generally shared and respected allocations.

However, when it comes to the major sects, everyone knows that with the exception of Shaolin and A Mi, the Gu School is the one to beat.

The influence of the Gu School was tantamount to the Orthodox Martial World.

In the end, this allocation meant authority recognized by every faction classified under the Orthodox.

At first, Qing had no idea about this strange system of allocation.

It turned out to be somewhat of a unit.

It was that specific rank that a military unit with the purpose of landing had an unusual obsession with.

Identifying the order of entry, it was no different from modern times, but occasionally, exceptions occurred.

This was due to those high-level masters who could spot a talented newcomer and snatch them right up.

Becoming a direct disciple meant the disciple was immediately inducted under the master’s unit.

For this reason, Qing was on equal footing with the most senior elders in the Divine Maiden Sect, except for Seomun Sulin!

And thus, this happened.

“Ah, it’s Elder Taesang!”

“Elder Taesang! Hello!”

“Elder Taesang! Did you have a tasty lunch?”

Whoa! The wild Divine Maiden Sect members popped out!

Qing found herself surrounded by a group of Divine Maiden disciples.

Seomun Sulin had casually labeled her as the next Number One in the World to the disciples.

This was her way of giving a minimal justification for accepting Qing as a direct disciple, considering the allocation issues among the sect officials.

Yet, Qing was neither arrogant nor annoying; rather, she had a charming knack for getting along with elders.

The junior disciples felt likewise.

Qing wasn’t a difficult figure to approach; technically, she was an outsider, so there was no need for excessive formality.

After indulging the curious, girl-like junior disciples in the sect a few times, this was what happened.

Because of this, Qing was wildly popular.

“I’m busy. Move aside.”

At that moment, Jin Jangmyung stood in front of Qing like a shield.

“Oh, look who’s here, the little disciple….”

“Oh no, this is a disaster.”

“We should probably leave, Elder Taesang!”

“We’ll see you again, little disciple!”

The Divine Maiden disciples left with disappointed expressions.

Qing seemed approachable.

She instinctively realized they found her intimidating.

But when her little disciple was by her side, it made a difference.

Normally gentle, quiet, and cute, the little disciple turned into a snarling beast next to Elder Taesang, constantly on guard.

Of course, Jin Jangmyung was doing just fine.

Qing had seen the adorable young disciple getting cuddled like a doll by the Divine Maiden disciples countless times throughout the day.

It was understandable.

Being small and disdainful, she often flounced around with a pouty face.

It was cute, but Qing couldn’t dare touch her without the permission of a teenage girl.

“Well then, little one, work hard today.”

“Big sister too.”

Qing parted ways with Jin Jangmyung in front of the Divine Maiden Hall.

And then she headed towards Seomun Sulin’s Suwol Hall.

The main gate of Suwol Hall was always wide open.

However, hardly any disciples dared to enter.

It wasn’t that they couldn’t enter its private sanctum, but Seomun Sulin was notoriously fierce.

However, Qing felt a tinge of pity.

The reason for keeping the main gate wide open was obvious.

It meant everyone was welcome to come inside.

But anyone who saw Seomun Sulin became paralyzed with fear, like mice before a snake.

That said, you couldn’t blame the Divine Maiden disciples.

In modern terms, barging into the chairman’s office, claiming he looked lonely, would be the analogy.

Only a completely random outsider, parachuting in, could think of doing such a thing.

Guess who just waltzed into Suwol Hall?

“Master, I’m here!”

“Hmph. How can a fine warrior make squeaky noises and act like a spoiled brat? Disciple, maintain your dignity as a representative of female martial artists and—”

“I don’t know anything about that. I only know martial arts. Teach me martial arts. I feel dizzy!”

“Sigh… and now you no longer even pretend to listen.”

Seomun Sulin complained but couldn’t quite suppress a faint smile.

Qing clenched her fist.

Success in achieving her cuteness would merely lessen the damage, like reducing the impact of a nuclear punch.

The training Qing did with Seomun Sulin was now only through continuous duels.

Realizing that having more inner strength is definitely better, Qing quickly raised the technique of the Seohucheon Aesim Gyeong to a 10-star level.

Seomun Sulin was immediately impressed by the once meek girl who suddenly soared in skill.

At this moment, Seomun Sulin pondered whether to pass on the Divine Skill to her disciple, who was technically an outer disciple but also somewhat peculiar.

However, witnessing Qing achieve great results overnight with such an uncomplicated mind technique, she deemed her a future Number One in the World and decided to pass on the Best Female Martial Artist’s technique.

Zhu Yang’s Mindfulness Sutra.

This technique was said to have been created by the legendary Emperor Shennong for his daughter, Yohi.

With a purple-bordered technique, Qing happily filled her training points again and again.

That night, a phoenix soared from Qing’s dwelling.

Zhu Yang’s Mindfulness Sutra, 12 stars. Achieved!

Qing’s inner strength swelled terrifyingly.

But that was all there was to it.

Seomun Sulin’s worries began.

The amount of inner strength was staggering.

Despite the small size of her Dantian, for some unknown reason, the inner strength had stayed distributed throughout her body.

In terms of quantity, it was already equivalent to a Supreme Martial Artist’s mid-tier levels.

But why was she unable to break through the wall of supremacy?

However, a master is a master for a reason.

Seomun Sulin eventually discovered the reason.

“All your movements come from the mind, don’t they?”

“Then where should they come from?”

“Why, they should naturally come from the true heart. Goodness, it seems your intellect has become your downfall. As they say, excess leads to harm.”

Originally, high-level martial arts were rather vague.

In sword techniques, for instance, an instruction to lift your sword high and strike down quickly might read as follows:

Strike from the high mountain towards the hill, and the momentum should be like a storm…

That was the kind of style martial arts took.

The problem was, martial arts aren’t just about maneuvering techniques or forms; your mindset must also harmonize with them.

Typically, a martial artist enters peak levels when they fully comprehend the meaning of the secret techniques and shed all sense of self.

Furthermore, the act of completing your unique interpretation is what constituted the mindset.

Only when one has fully adapted a single technique to themselves does a martial artist enter the state of transcendence.

“Mindset…”

“By only understanding swordplay in your head, it’s no surprise you can’t reach the next level.”

That was expected.

The way Qing learned martial arts was merely cramming them into her brain.

“So what should I do?”

“Well, you can only swing your sword until the mindset arises and stabilizes.”

And so it was continual dueling.

In reality, it was a grueling task.

Because—

Wham!

“Isn’t your mind all muddled? Get it together! You act like a floundering disciple!”

Wham!

“There were six lives, yet you can’t find them? I’ve told you countless times that a female warrior needs to be graceful!”

Wham!

“Can’t you see your front hem? Men and women are different, so you shouldn’t expose yourself in combat!”

Qing clutched her head, on the verge of tears.

“Ugh. At this rate, my head will crack open.”

“Head? For goodness’ sake, how can you still act like a wild half-wit in this day and age…”

When Qing moaned dramatically about dying, Seomun Sulin would sometimes soften and give her head a pat.

Seomun Sulin looked at Qing while moving her hand.

When she first stepped into the Divine Maiden Sect, her looks weren’t that impressive, but she wasn’t bad either.

Seohucheon Aesim Gyeong was excellent for enhancing a woman’s beauty.

Zhu Yang’s Mindfulness Sutra, the Divine Maiden Sword Technique, and the Divine Maiden’s Good Fortune also added beauty as one grew accustomed to them.

Gradually, her features began to settle, and now she had reached a point where she’d be considered a beauty anywhere.

Few would remember the scruffy girl she once was.

At this point, it seemed there was no need to hold back anymore.

Having made her mind up, Seomun Sulin declared.

“It’s about time for you to step into the world.”

“Really?”

“The path to supreme levels is still distant, so what you need now isn’t these martial arts matches, but real combat. I’ve taught you everything you need, and it won’t matter if you linger here any longer.”

“Ah…”

Qing remembered her previous pre-mission tasks.

If there’s a pre-mission, it meant there would be a main mission that followed thereafter.

Qing needed to confirm.

Her life in the Divine Maiden Sect was satisfying.

But she couldn’t just stay nestled in comfort, giggling mindlessly.

Somehow, she needed to resolve this status screen.

Only by witnessing the end of this game could Qing become a complete person.

Whether that meant returning to reality or remaining in the Central Plain forever.

“As a disciple, even if you’re an outer disciple, there’s not a single disciple here who thinks of you as an outsider.”

“I know that too.”

“Good. I’m relieved you understand.”

Seomun Sulin smiled as she patted Qing’s head.

“Your dwelling is here. You can come back and rest anytime.”

“Oh… can I really?”

“Of course. Why would you even ask?”

Seomun Sulin’s kind smile was reminiscent of a mother’s.

“This is your home. Who in the world seeks permission to come and go in their own house?”

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