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Chapter: 4
A Dispute Arises
“Shouldn’t we have checked whether this place is safe before bringing children who know nothing to take the test?”
Indeok clung closely to Ganghyeon, glancing nervously around.
They had left the tower to complete the first outdoor assignment since the Grand Selection began seven months ago.
The task was simple on paper: explore the area within ten and a half li of the tower and gather cultivation resources.
They had learned the basics of platforms, talismans, formation techniques, and magical tools during group training, as well as the materials needed to craft them. This assignment tested those skills—but there was more hidden beneath its surface.
“By the way, Hyungah.”
“Hm?”
“They said you could sell the cultivation resources for Spirit Stones, right?”
“That’s right.”
The assignment allowed them to exchange harvested resources for Spirit Stones. These stones acted both as cultivation tools and as currency in the tower. They could now use the tower’s shops and trade with other children.
This was the big change the assignment would bring: earn Spirit Stones with your own effort and use them to enhance training and exchanges.
As they pushed through the forest, Ganghyeon suddenly pointed in a direction.
“Look over there.”
“Huh? I don’t see anything.”
“You’ll notice it once you get closer.”
“Really?”
Indeok began brushing through undergrowth, following Ganghyeon. Soon, he squinted, eyes wide.
“Ah! I see something!”
“Can you see it?”
“Yes, there’s a golden glow over there.”
“How can you see that?”
“Just a faint golden mist. That’s what it looks like.”
“I see. And you?”
“I see it darker than that. That’s why I noticed it first.”
“Of course, Ganghyeon.”
“Try to sense the spiritual energy more. Then you might surpass me.”
“I’m trying my best.”
The golden light they sensed during the Grand Selection came from a massive formation across the continent, visible only to those sensitive to spiritual energy. Only exceptional Yeonggeun holders could perceive it—and Ganghyeon had never seen anyone as adept as himself and Indeok.
“Wow, isn’t this Zaryeonghwa (Purple Bellflower)?”
Indeok jumped for joy, signaling Ganghyeon.
Upon closer inspection, it truly was Zaryeonghwa—a red bell-shaped flower used for cinnabar in talismans and sometimes in formations or magical tools. Its uses made it valuable.
“Is this high-grade? The color is clear and transparent.”
“Not quite, but among medium-grade, it’s top-tier.”
“That would be over three low-grade Spirit Stones?”
“At least thirty if lowest grade.”
“Wow! Amazing!”
“Not yet—let’s check the surroundings first.”
Rare herbs often had spiritual guardians—magical beasts of varying danger. Ganghyeon and Indeok, however, had sensed no nearby threats.
“Even if a guardian were here, it probably fled when the tower was built—who would risk facing twelve sect masters?”
Indeok noticed the flower’s root.
“Ah, the root of Zaryeonghwa?”
“Yes. Normally it’s useless in the wild, but sometimes Zaryeonghwa absorbs other valuable herbs’ roots. Those roots then gain immense potency.”
“Let’s check it first!”
“Yes!”
Indeok, excited at the potential of more finds, prepared to harvest—but stopped and looked at Ganghyeon.
“Go ahead.”
Ganghyeon nodded, signaling the flower.
“Me?”
“Yes.”
“What if I damage the root?”
“You won’t improve without trying.”
“That’s true for you too.”
“Then try as practice. I’ll gather the next one.”
Indeok sighed and prepared to dig—but suddenly:
“Stop!”
A loud shout thundered through the forest, followed by a strong wave of spiritual energy.
“Who’s there!”
Ganghyeon reacted instantly, raising his own energy to protect both of them.
“That Zaryeonghwa is mine. Step back!”
“Ha ha ha, luck is on your side, brother.”
“Following you led to this windfall. Congratulations!”
Four people leapt through the trees, all in dark blue uniforms.
“This is ours!”
Indeok jumped, trying to emit spiritual energy to threaten them.
“Ha ha, they don’t know who you are and act like mere pups.”
“Shall we teach them a lesson?”
“One arm each should suffice.”
Yet the three followers carried a single boy forward. Around fifteen years old, he wore a golden sash around his waist. Ganghyeon eyed him carefully; his energy was strong.
“Tsk, they found rare herbs, yet act cruel. Fine, take this and leave!”
Ganghyeon pulled out low-grade Spirit Stones and tossed them at Indeok’s feet.
“Low-grade Spirit Stones?”
Indeok stared in disbelief.
“You expect to buy Zaryeonghwa worth over thirty with this few?”
The boy shook his head.
“I’m not buying it! This is a reward for your effort. The Zaryeonghwa is mine.”
“This was found by Ganghyeon and me. How is it yours?”
“Because I am strong.”
“What?”
“In the cultivation world, strong take from weak. Who can complain?”
Indeok’s eyes narrowed, now understanding.
“Then step back before things get ugly. Be grateful for what you’ve been given.”
The boy stood firm, confident it was right.
Ganghyeon stepped forward.
“You’re from Hyeonhaegung, judging by your blue uniforms, right?”
“What? And what of it? Planning revenge?”
“No. You said weak submit to strong, yes?”
“Yes. But?”
“What if the weak have family, a clan, a sect?”
“What?”
“Do you really think you can take from me and Indeok?”
Ganghyeon scanned all four, eyes sharp.
“I don’t accept that you’re stronger than me. Do you think you can rob disciples of Cheonroeum without consequences?”
A low rumble filled the air. Ganghyeon gathered surrounding spiritual energy around himself and Indeok.
“Eh?”
“What? The energy vanished?”
“What’s happening?”
“Brother! What’s this?!”
Ganghyeon’s act was a kind of preemptive control. The surrounding energy now felt tied to him.
“Hmph! A shallow trick! Impossible!”
The boy tried to seize the energy back, but it remained solid, immovable.
“Have you… entered Yeonggi?” the boy asked, frowning.
Indeok whispered, shocked.
“Brother… is he like that?”
The boy’s three companions began to worry.
Ganghyeon teased them:
“Where’s the one claiming to be strong?”
The boy in gold sash replied firmly:
“I am Taeho of the Lee clan of Jangryangguk. Who are you?”
“I don’t care. Leave now with your companions.”
“What? I revealed myself, and you say this?”
“This is already a generous warning. Wanting more would be shameless.”
The boy glanced at his companions and saw their confidence wavering.
‘I can’t back down,’ he thought.
He drew a bamboo tube from his sleeve.
“Uh-oh.”
Ganghyeon felt unease. As the boy aimed it:
“Damn it!”
Ganghyeon channeled energy into his wrist bracelet.
A surge of spiritual energy exploded outward, forming a protective barrier around him and Indeok.
“Die!”
Needles shot from the bamboo tube, imbued with energy, but the barrier blocked them.
“Ganghyeon! Are you okay?!” Indeok cried.
“I’m fine. Use your talisman for protection.”
“Okay!”
Ganghyeon charged forward toward the Hyeonhaegung students.
“Brother!”
“That guy!”
The three followers tried to intervene—but Ganghyeon’s attack struck Taeho first.
“Move!”
Taeho barely managed to twist, deflecting a blade to his arm.
“Do not resent me.”
The next strike flashed, embedding in Taeho’s neck.
“Brother!”
“Br—Brother!”
“Crazy!”
The attack was so fast the others only saw Taeho collapse. Shocked, they could not think.
“Ganghyeon!” Indeok yelled, horrified at the scene.
