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Childhood Friend of the Zenith (Web Novel) - Chapter CH.1074: The World of Ascension (4)
Chapter CH.1074: The World of Ascension (4)
This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl
Henam’s Prefecture.
A thriving city and the very heart of the martial world—home to both the Main Alliance Headquarters and Shaolin, one of the Nine Great Sects.
With its bustling crowds and an overwhelming number of martial artists, it was often regarded as the safest region in all of Zhongyuan.
As such, it stood as the epicenter of the righteous factions, the foundation of orthodoxy.
Being the so-called symbol of peace, Henam’s prefecture was always filled with an endless stream of visitors.
But today, the number of people was far greater than usual.
A martial artist stationed at the gates let out a deep sigh as he gazed at the approaching waves of people.
“...This is too much.”
At his lament, the senior guard beside him patted his shoulder.
“Nothing we can do. Of all times, it had to be now.”
“That’s exactly it! Why did I have to get assigned to duty on a day like this?”
His exhaustion was evident—he had been standing guard since dawn without a single break.
“Come on, it’s not like this is the first time. We go through this every year. You hate it that much?”
“...This isn’t just another typical year, is it?”
“...That’s true.”
The senior nodded as he looked at the crowd.
Every year, the Main Alliance Entrance Exam was held.
Since the Martial Alliance constantly sought to recruit new talents, hordes of applicants would flood into Henam during this period.
But even considering that—this year’s crowd was absurdly massive.
What had caused such an unprecedented surge?
“...It’s all because of the Divine Dragon.”
It was the recent news—one that had shaken not only Henam but all of Zhongyuan.
The Divine Dragon.
The greatest martial prodigy of this era, surpassing all other Young Dragons.
Personally appointed by the Martial Alliance, he was expected to rise as one of Zhongyuan’s most influential figures in the future.
Of course, a Divine Dragon existed in every generation, so under normal circumstances, the emergence of a new one wouldn’t have been that extraordinary.
“...But this time, it’s different.”
This Divine Dragon was nothing like the ones before.
The title itself carried special prestige, but this time, the weight of it was entirely different.
“It wasn’t someone from the Four Noble Clans or the Nine Great Sects. Who would’ve thought such a monster would come from a quiet, mid-tier family?”
“Mid-tier? It’s still a prestigious house, you know.”
It wasn’t exactly a small family.
However, it wasn’t well-known either.
“I’ve never even heard of them. Shanxi Gu Clan? I didn’t even know such a place existed.”
“True...”
The Shanxi Gu Clan.
The Divine Dragon’s family.
And yet, most people had never heard of it before.
Technically speaking, it was a distinguished family and an official part of the righteous faction.
However, it had rarely, if ever, participated in the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering or other major orthodox events.
“And now, out of nowhere, they’ve produced the Divine Dragon.”
A completely obscure family.
A sect that had hardly made any public appearances.
And yet, their Divine Dragon had crushed every single prodigy from the Four Noble Clans and Nine Great Sects.
He had defeated the Five Dragons and Four Phoenixes—the most exceptional Young Dragons of this generation.
And at the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering, he had demonstrated overwhelming might.
Naturally, the public was obsessed with this sudden emergence of a true genius.
But the fact that he wasn’t just a prodigy—but a force beyond comparison to any of his peers—had sent endless murmurs through the martial world.
And this was the result.
"Please remain in an orderly line!"
"Pushing won’t get you inside any faster!"
The Alliance guards were yelling at the top of their lungs, trying to contain the incoming flood of people.
Most of them had come to take the Martial Alliance Entrance Exam.
And it was all because of the Divine Dragon.
With his sudden rise to prominence, countless martial artists were inspired.
And in just a few years, he had done the unthinkable—joining the Azure Dragon Division and rising to the rank of Vice Commander at the youngest age in history.
His accomplishments were nothing short of overwhelming.
And as if drawn to his legend, countless warriors were now seeking to join the Alliance.
"Ah, damn it...!"
The guards gritted their teeth in frustration.
It wasn’t as if this would make their workload any easier.
“Next...!!”
They continued processing applicants one after another.
At this point, slaying a demonic beast would have been an easier task than dealing with this madness.
One by one, the hopefuls stepped forward.
"Next."
A man approached the Alliance guard, naturally taking out a letter of identification.
As he opened it, the guard asked:
"...Name?"
"Baek Yangcheon."
Hearing the response, the guard checked the identification.
‘The Guangdong Baek Clan.’
A name he recognized.
Not exactly famous, but a known orthodox family.
The identification looked legitimate, with no signs of forgery.
However...
‘Did the Baek Clan have a Young Dragon?’
He couldn’t recall.
Well, maybe the guy was an illegitimate son.
The gatekeeper nodded and looked up—
"...!"
And involuntarily flinched.
‘...What the hell?’
The young man’s face was unnervingly fierce.
Pale skin, a strong build—he could be considered handsome, in a rugged way.
But even with that in mind, he looked absolutely ferocious.
"Uh... well..."
Momentarily at a loss for words, the guard composed himself and asked:
"...What is your reason for visiting?"
The fierce-looking young man—
"Ah."
Baek Yangcheon.
No—
"I came to take the Martial Alliance Entrance Exam."
Gu Yangcheon said.
***********
I pushed through the crowd and entered the interior.
Navigating through the teeming mass of people, I slowly made my way forward.
"Well, I made it in."
As I walked, I discreetly released the power I had been maintaining.
Sssss...
Something shifted and faded away.
The illusion I had created using the Veil of Deception had vanished.
I had used it to forge an identification letter and assume the identity of Baek Yangcheon.
With my abilities, falsifying an identity was a simple matter.
But the real question was—
"...Was this the right decision?"
In this strange and unknown space, was taking the Martial Alliance Entrance Exam really the correct move?
That doubt lingered in my mind.
But—
"No."
I immediately shook my head.
I didn’t have any other options.
"It’s obvious this is what I was meant to do."
The timing and circumstances were too precise to be a coincidence.
What was I supposed to accomplish in this world?
The answer was clear.
"Why now, though?"
That was the only part that bothered me.
But this wasn’t the time to question it.
There was only one conclusion.
"...I have to meet him."
Why this era?
And what exactly was I supposed to do?
There was only one way to find out.
I had to meet him.
"My father."
The current Divine Dragon.
Gu Cheolwoon.
That was who I needed to find.
Even the fact that I had dropped into this world on the very day of the Martial Alliance Entrance Exam—
And after cross-checking the timeline—
It was all too deliberate.
It wasn’t difficult to deduce where I needed to go.
This was the conclusion I had reached.
After walking for quite some time, I finally arrived in front of a massive building.
Since this place hadn’t changed much from the future I knew, finding it wasn’t difficult.
"Are you here for the entrance exam?"
"Yes."
Just as before, I handed over my identification letter, cloaked once again by the Veil of Deception.
"Proceed inside."
As expected, I was allowed through without issue.
The interior was packed with people.
"All martial artists."
Since everyone here was seeking to join the Main Alliance, it was only natural.
"Well, back in this era, the Alliance still had a good reputation."
It was still considered the symbol of peace and absolute honor.
This was the golden age of the Martial Alliance.
So it wasn’t surprising to see such a massive crowd.
"Hmm."
I scanned my surroundings. In my hand was a wooden tag with a number inscribed on it.
A numbered ticket for the exam.
Apparently, the testing process hadn’t changed much from the future I knew.
As I observed the crowd and waited—
"The exam will begin shortly."
A loud announcement rang out.
"All applicants, please prepare and stand by!"
With that command, the atmosphere shifted dramatically.
The gathered martial artists bristled with competitive energy.
"Oh boy."
I let out a quiet chuckle.
This was fighting spirit.
It had been a while since I last felt this raw, charged atmosphere.
Having spent so much time fighting in the Abyss, my instincts had dulled to this kind of energy.
"...I wonder what kind of test this will be?"
The Martial Alliance Entrance Exam.
Back in my time, there wasn’t really an exam for me.
Since I was a Young Dragon of the Shanxi Gu Clan, my entry was secured through the existing pact with the Alliance.
"So they actually held formal exams in this era?"
Apparently, back then, applicants had to prove themselves through direct trials.
"What exactly will they have us do?"
Even though I found the process somewhat tedious, I was still curious.
So, I followed the examiners’ instructions and moved.
Eventually, we arrived at an arena.
"Oh. Here."
A familiar place.
It was the Main Alliance’s combat stage—
The same one used for the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering and other major martial tournaments.
As I reminisced, gazing at the arena—
"...Wait. That person."
"...Whoa!"
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
Everyone’s attention was focused on the center of the stage.
Naturally, I turned my gaze as well.
"Huh?"
Someone stood atop the arena.
Narrowing my eyes, I scrutinized the figure.
Judging by the reactions, he was someone important.
"Who is he?"
I had no idea.
A massive, broad-shouldered old man.
His physique alone rivaled that of Tang Deok, his muscles hardened like steel.
With his hands clasped behind his back, he looked absolutely disinterested in being here.
"...What the hell is that?"
His presence was no joke.
Just what kind of martial artist was he?
"And how do I not know him?"
I was suppressing my aura to avoid detection, so I couldn’t get a precise read on him—
But even the faint traces I could sense were overwhelming.
"You've all worked hard to get here."
A simple statement—
Yet the weight behind his voice sent shivers through the air.
This man was a monster.
One of the strongest martial artists I had ever encountered.
"Did someone like this exist back then?"
I narrowed my eyes.
And then—
Thump.
My heart skipped a beat.
No—it reacted.
Deep within, my martial arts stirred.
This was—
"Resonance?"
It was resonating.
My martial arts had triggered an involuntary reaction.
And the specific technique responding was—
"Why... why is it this one?"
Tua Pacheonmu.
A fierce resonance surged within me.
My eyes immediately widened.
"No way."
With disbelief, I focused on the massive old man before me.
And then—
"Ah, I was just passing through, but since I’m here, I figured I’d help boost morale."
His voice was indifferent, lazy.
"The name’s Paejon."
I froze.
That man—
He was Paejon.
But not the Paejon I knew.
This was him before he regressed.
