Mu-jin, astonished by Mu-yul's bizarre martial arts, couldn't help but have a thought cross his mind.n "Master Uncle Hye-geol, what exactly have you created?"n He had mentioned that he would create a Dragon Fist technique suitable for Mu-yul in Nanzhao, but who would have thought he'd produce something as strange as the Strange Dragon?n However, if Hye-geol could have read Mu-jin's thoughts, he would have jumped up in protest at the unfairness of it all.n n The most update n0vels are published on novelꞁire.net And the wronged Hye-geol was currently…n Having calmed his dizziness from the "elephant's sway," Hye-geol was now calmly observing the battlefield with focused eyes.n That's how coordinated attacks usually work. If someone tries to clumsily assist, they often end up hindering their ally's movement, leading to the worst possible outcome.n Thus, Hye-geol first observed the coordinated attack by the Muja Quartet, who worked well together.n Mu-jin tenaciously clung to Cheon-ju, using his Ho-shin Gang-gi technique, while Mu-jin distracted Cheon-ju, Mu-yul provoked Cheon-ju with his odd movements, further annoying him.n Meanwhile, Mu-gung and Mu-gyeong provided perfect support, creating a well-balanced combination against Cheon-ju.n From the sidelines, Hye-geol, who had been watching the battle, saw an opportunity for him to intervene.n Without hesitation, Hye-geol unleashed the essence of the martial arts he had mastered in Nanzhao.n The journey to Nanzhao for Mu-yul's sake…n During that journey, Hye-geol encountered various animals, observing their movements and studying them closely.n As a result, he was able to unravel the tangled thread of the Dragon Fist.n "In the first place, the crane, snake, leopard, and tiger only represent the quintessential traits of animals."n There was no need to imitate hundreds or thousands of animals to master the Dragon Fist.n Though there are subtle differences among all animals, in the grand scheme of things, they could be narrowed down to a few key traits.n The relaxed and gentle movements of a crane, the stealthy yet flexible motions of a snake, the agility of a leopard, and the bravery of a tiger.n And the Dragon Fist was a martial art that utilized these traits simultaneously.n Following the mnemonic formulas of the Dragon Fist, which he had previously only studied and memorized, Hye-geol channeled a massive amount of internal energy through his body.n But it wasn't simply a matter of internal energy flowing through his meridians.n At times, it flowed like the movements of a crane, at other times like a snake.n Then, at times, it charged through his meridians with the boldness of a leopard, and at other times, it surged recklessly, almost to the point of risking internal injury, with the ferocity of a tiger.n As the internal energy coursed through his meridians in various ways, reflecting the characteristics of the four animals, it finally gathered in Hye-geol's fist.n With a vigorous shout, the golden energy, unique to Shaolin, accumulated in Hye-geol's fist, forming a massive constellation.n And the moment Hye-geol threw his punch…n The massive constellation, shaped into a form, shot towards Cheon-ju.n The powerful energy, taking the shape of a Yellow Dragon, flew towards Cheon-ju with its jaws wide open, as if it intended to swallow him whole.n Even Mu-jin, who was in the middle of the battle, couldn't help but let out a faint exclamation in awe of the stunning technique.n "Why can you do that while Mu-yul can't…?"n It wasn't a sigh of admiration, but rather one of doubt.n However, there was no time to dwell on such trivial thoughts.n "Do you think a mere Imoogi could harm me?"n Despite the dazzling dragon's assault, Cheon-ju responded with an irritated expression, countering with a straight punch.n With a deafening roar, the fangs of the Yellow Dragon, which had collided with Cheon-ju's fist, shattered into pieces.n The cracks that started from the fangs quickly spread throughout the dragon's body, and the Yellow Dragon, made of internal energy, swiftly returned to the embrace of nature.n Although the Yellow Dragon vanished in an instant, perhaps due to the brief majesty it displayed, Mu-yul, who had retreated a step back, excitedly shouted as he took up a punching stance.n "I want to do it too, Sa-jo-nim!"n Just like Hye-geol had done, Mu-yul's internal energy flowed from his danjeon, coursing through his body.n However, there was no way Mu-yul could have memorized all the intricate and lengthy mnemonic formulas of the Dragon Fist.n "Yeah! This seems right!"n So Mu-yul simply improvised, channeling his energy as it came to him.n But it wasn't entirely off-track.n Thanks to Hye-geol's rote teaching, the basic flow was mostly correct.n The difference was...n "Hehe, I should mimic Bibi here, right?"n Instead of the energy flowing like a snake, Mu-yul made it flow heavily, like an elephant.n "It'd be great if Ling-ling were here too, right?"n When it was time to be as fierce as a tiger, he thought of Ling-ling and channeled his internal energy.n At the moment he finished channeling his energy, thinking of animals completely unrelated to the original Dragon Fist Technique...n Just like Hye-geol, Mu-yul gathered all his energy into his fist and struck out.n From Mu-yul's hand, a dragon emerged and charged toward Cheon-ju.n Unlike the splendid golden dragon of Hye-geol, this dragon was crooked, as if drawn by a child's clumsy hand.n It was an odd occurrence.n Not only was the shape of the dragon peculiar, but the fact that it was possible at all was even more bizarre.n After all, recklessly manipulating internal energy against the principles of Ascending Martial Arts was akin to inviting Qi Deviation, a suicidal act.n The reason this mad feat was possible was because Mu-yul had, from the beginning, often mimicked the movements of various animals, frequently using odd methods to channel his internal energy.n His body's meridians had somewhat adapted to these strange energy manipulations.n It was similar to how members of the Tang Clan would build immunity by consuming small amounts of poison over time.n Moreover, although not as much as Mu-jin, Mu-yul had consistently trained his external energy, which had strengthened his body enough to endure some of the strain.n As he watched the crooked golden dragon Mu-yul had created, Hye-geol couldn't help but let out a quiet hum.n It wasn't because he hadn't expected Mu-yul to use the Strange Dragon Fist Technique.n He had seen it succeed a few times even in Nanzhao.n Hye-geol was surprised for a different reason.n "How is it that the dragon looks different every time I see it?"n Being able to unleash the Dragon Fist Technique differently each time could indeed be considered a talent.n And as Mu-yul, who had just created yet another new dragon, spoke to Hye-geol with a pained expression.n "Sa-jo-nim, my stomach feels queasy."n Blood lightly stained the corners of Mu-yul's mouth as he spoke.n It seemed that no matter how much of an expert Mu-yul was at mimicking animals, using the Strange Dragon Fist Technique always caused internal injuries.n While the Muja Quartet, Hye-geol, and Ling-ling were fighting against Cheon-ju, with the One Hundred Eight Arhats encircling them in case of an emergency, the overall flow of the battlefield was shifting drastically.n No, it only appeared to be shifting drastically.n The mystical elephant that Mu-yul and Hye-geol had ridden. Mu-yul had named it Bibi because of its peculiar nose, and it was rampaging across the battlefield, trampling the warriors of Shinchun with its massive, heavy legs or flinging them into the sky with its trunk.n In the midst of this, it only attacked those considered enemies, never touching the forces of the Southern Sky Association that had accompanied them, proving that the elephant was indeed worthy of being called a mystical creature.n However, what was making an even greater impact than Bibi were Pae Jin-seong and Dao Yuetian.n With every gleam of their spear and blade, the warriors of Shinchun who blocked their path fell one after another.n Yet Pae Jin-seong, who had spent many years as the leader of Guryongbang, a once-powerful faction known as one of the Seven Evils, and had fought in countless battles, knew the truth.n 'These guys are just a bunch of nobodies.'n The ones they were cutting down were not significant in this battlefield.n Pae Jin-seong's instincts were correct.n The ones blocking the Southern Sky Association were merely disposable forces in the eyes of Shinchun—warriors from minor sects and clans that had been subdued by feeding them poison or holding their families hostage during Shinchun's conquest of the eastern part of Central Plains.n While they might have been considered skilled in their own regions, they were no match for the elites of the Southern Sky Association, let alone Dao Yuetian or Pae Jin-seong.n Thus, Pae Jin-seong concentrated on his Qi sense and read the flow of the battlefield.n The key masters of the enemy. Among them, he sought out those who were steering the battle in favor of Shinchun.n The first thing that stimulated Pae Jin-seong's Qi sense was, naturally, the fight between Cheon-ju and Shaolin.n That fight was of a level that could truly shake the heavens and the earth; if that battle were to end early, the victor could determine the outcome of the entire battle.n However, Pae Jin-seong erased the option of offering support in that direction.n He had never fought alongside Shaolin before.n He knew that moving to help over there would only lead to them getting in each other's way.n For the same reason, Pae Jin-seong also dismissed the fight between Wudang and Ji-ju from his options.n Next, his Qi sense was captured by the man who was once his superior in Sa-doryeon. It was Hyeok Jin-gang, fighting against the Namgung father and son.n "Hyeok Jin-gang is ours!!"n Pae Jin-seong shook his head as he watched the Namgung father and son, who, neglecting to command their family's warriors, recklessly charged at Hyeok Jin-gang.n 'Namgung hasn't changed at all.'n With that, only one choice remained.n "Brother! Target that old man!"n Pae Jin-seong, who had informed Dao Yuetian of their target, channeled his internal energy and shouted for all the Southern Sky Association subordinates to hear.n "Southern Sky Association, follow me!!"n Clearing a path with his subordinates, Pae Jin-seong's target was none other than the old master who wielded the Pan-gwan-pil.n And that old man was currently the most threatening figure on the battlefield.n It wasn't due to his skill. Judging by skill alone, he seemed to be on par with Hyeok Jin-gang.n Of course, Pae Jin-seong had been defeated by Hyeok Jin-gang and had thus joined Sa-doryeon, but at least in this battle, there were two enemies clearly stronger than that old man.n Nonetheless, the reason this old man was the most dangerous was that, unlike Cheon-ju, Ji-ju, or Hyeok Jin-gang, there were no high-level masters or groups within Jeongmumaeng capable of opposing him.n Indeed, as Pae Jin-seong expected, the closer he got to that old man, the stronger the martial artists blocking his path became.n Pae Jin-seong's eyes gleamed as he thrust his spear at the first opponent who managed to block his attack. But the opponent couldn't block his follow-up strike and was impaled in the abdomen, collapsing to the ground.n Beside Pae Jin-seong, Dao Yuetian used the power of the Black Path to sever both the weapon and the neck of an enemy with a swift slash.n 'My brother's skills are steadily improving.'n Pae Jin-seong nodded in satisfaction and shouted again.n "From here on, it's the real deal, so stay focused!!"n Warning his subordinates that the enemies were getting stronger, Pae Jin-seong, along with Dao Yuetian, continued to cut through their path towards the old man.n "So, it's the vermin of the Southern Sky Association."n The old man seemed to recognize Pae Jin-seong and Dao Yuetian, scowling as he swung his brush in the air as if writing calligraphy.n As he moved his brush, a dark energy manifested in the air, forming the character (defeat) and flying towards them.n However, Pae Jin-seong and Dao Yuetian each swung their spear and sword, dispelling the energy sent by the old master, then spoke up.n "Hahaha. It seems our Southern Sky Association has become quite famous. Even an old man like you, who isn't known in the martial world, knows about us."n At Pae Jin-seong's taunt, the old man's lips twisted into a smirk.n "How could I not know? You're the ones who ruined my grand plans."n As Mu-jin predicted, the old master was the man known within Shinchun as In-ju.n "Thanks to you bastards, I had to report my failure to Cheon-ju. Today, I'll wash away that disgrace with your blood."n As if the previous attack was merely a greeting, In-ju once again started writing calligraphy in the air with his Pan-gwan-pil.n At a glance, it might have seemed like the movements of a mad old man, but Pae Jin-seong and Dao Yuetian couldn't help but swallow their saliva and focus on the old man's movements.n Though it might look like a madman's dance, the dark energy gathering around the Pan-gwan-pil carried an overwhelmingly ominous aura.