"You …"
Struggling to her feet, Senior Shui's mouth twitched uncontrollably. She turned to look at the young man before her once more, and her face warped in astonishment. "Your comprehension of swordsmanship has already reached the level of … Sword Quintessence?"
As a genius swordsman, she was well aware of the different tiers of swordsmanship. Before she could even thrust her sword forward, it had already fallen to the ground in fright, trembling uncontrollably. She had only encountered such a situation with her teacher before. In other words … the twenty-year-old young man before her had already grasped swordsmanship on par with her teacher!
How did he do it?
Sword Quintessence didn't just require one to have a deep understanding of swordsmanship. More importantly, one had to possess sufficient experience and comprehension. The reason why Zhang Xuan was able to reach that realm was because he had once walked ten thousand li on foot and experienced the suffering of ordinary people.
At the very most, the young man before him had only been cultivating since he was in his mother's womb for twenty years. How could he possibly comprehend this?
Zhang Xuan didn't deny it and flicked his finger.
The longsword on the ground lost its suppression. "Weng!" It flew up and landed in his palm.
With a light flick, a long cry rang out.
"This sword is not bad. It suits you well!"
He casually handed it back.
This sword was light and slender, it was more suitable for women to unleash their strength.
"Teacher chose it for me!"
Senior Shui nodded as she sheathed her sword. Then, she turned to Zhang Xuan and asked, "You wish to browse through books on swordsmanship?"
Having comprehended Sword Quintessence, she had already lost her confidence in the duel.
The gap between them was simply too great. Even if he made a move, he would only make a fool of himself.
After a moment of hesitation, Senior Shui said, "My teacher has quite a few books on swordsmanship. I can take you there."
"Then please lead the way!"
Zhang Xuan's eyes lit up.
"However, I have to warn you in advance. You have already comprehended the Sword Quintessence, so don't get your hopes up too high. I'm afraid that I'll be kicked out before I can even read the books, "Senior Shui said.
"Why?"
Zhang Xuan was puzzled.
To be able to comprehend Sword Quintessences at his age, he could already be considered as a true genius in the field of swordsmanship. Any master teacher who wielded the sword would be fond of such a person.
"This … My teacher is the number one swordsman of the Sanctum of Sages, Jian Qinsheng. His cultivation is high, and his standing is extremely respected.
After a moment of silence, Senior Shui lowered her voice and said, "He's a little too particular about the rules …"
"Rules?"
Zhang Xuan was stunned for a moment before realization dawned on him.
As a student, it wasn't appropriate for Zhang Xuan to criticize his teacher. Perhaps, he was trying to say that his teacher was a little old-fashioned, an old pedant.
This kind of person was extremely straightforward in his words and actions. If he took a liking to someone, not even eight horses would be able to pull him back. No matter how high his position or how powerful his background was, it would be useless.
"Yes, he was once an elder of the Hall of Rites, and he values etiquette and rules highly! If one wanted to browse through the books that he had collected and receive his guidance, they would have to clear the trial and earn his acknowledgement. The genius swordsman of the Zhang clan, Zhang Xu, was a renowned genius in the Inner Sanctum, and he was known as the number one swordsman among the younger generation. His comprehension of swordsmanship has already reached the level of Sword Quintessence, and he tried to browse through the books, but he was also kicked out. That's why I said that … "
Senior Shui said.
"Even those who have comprehended Sword Quintessences are expelled? Why?" Zhang Xuan was perplexed.
To be able to reach Sword Quintessence meant that the other party's comprehension of swordsmanship was on par with him. Even in the Sanctum of Sages, such a person would not be too weak!
It wouldn't make sense for him to be kicked out!
"Like I said earlier, my teacher values etiquette very much, and the person he admires the most is the Third Sanctum Head of the Sanctum of Sages. That Third Sanctum Head has comprehended swordsmanship, and his cultivation is extremely powerful. With a sword in hand, he has conquered the world with a single strike of his sword. Even the Sage Clans have to treat him with respect. In fact, even in Mingshi Tang's headquarters, no one dares to face him head-on! He has pushed the prestige of the Sanctum of Sages to its peak … However, as powerful as the Third Sanctum Head is, he is still lacking in terms of teaching his students. After he passed away, his heritage was severed, and the swordsmanship of the entire Sanctum of Sages began to decline.
"My teacher is his descendant, and he's guarding the Sword Intent that he left behind back then. If one wishes to become my teacher's student or learn anything from him, one must first obtain the acknowledgement of the Sword Intent. The reason why I was able to emerge victorious among the dozens of sword geniuses is due to my water attribute cultivation technique, which allows me to fuse with all things. On the other hand, Zhang Xu comprehended his own swordsmanship, and it clashed with the Sword Intent, so … he was kicked out! "
"I see."
Zhang Xuan nodded.
When one's comprehension of swordsmanship had reached the level of Sword Quintessence, the Sword Intent that one executed would have a soul of its own, and it would choose the cultivator.
Take the Lingxu Sword for example. Due to Zhang Xuan comprehending the 'Sword' character on the outside and reaching Sword Quintessence, it submitted to him.
The clash of Sword Intents was equivalent to the clash of ideals.
Senior Shui cultivated a water attribute cultivation technique, and due to her gentle personality, it was easy for her to gain the acknowledgement of the Sword Intent. On the other hand, those who had a deep understanding of swordsmanship would have their own path, and it would be much more difficult for them to advance.
Could it be that … the books that Jian Qinsheng collected were left behind by the Third Sanctum Head? Did he inherit them as well?
Zhang Xuan thought.
To gain the acknowledgement of the Sword Intent, it could be interpreted as a similar path of cultivation.
Only such a person would be able to read his books and receive his guidance. To put it bluntly, Jian Qinsheng was trying to groom an expert in swordsmanship of his own.
"Everyone has a unique understanding of swordsmanship. I wonder which one Jian Qinsheng has comprehended, but … it should be different from what the Old Sword Maestro has comprehended," Zhang Xuan remarked.
His understanding of swordsmanship originated from the Old Sword Maestro.
The Old Sword Maestro had been a swordsman for many years, but he had never heard of him being related to the Third Sanctum Head. Most likely, they were on different paths.
In other words, if Zhang Xuan were to head over, there was a good chance that he would be chased away, just like Zhang Xu.
"If I just take a look at the books, without copying them, scanning them with my Spiritual Perception, or even flipping them open … is that not allowed as well?"
Zhang Xuan hesitated for a moment before asking.
As long as he could see the books with his eyes, he would be able to collect them into the Library of Heaven's Path in the blink of an eye.
Even without the other party's guidance or copying them down, he would know whether he was able to complete the Three Swords of Lingxu with just a look … That should be a simple task!
"Take a look?"
Senior Shui shook her head with a bitter smile. "My teacher treats these books as treasures, and he has specially set up a room for them. Without his token, no one will be able to enter the room. Unless … you are the sanctum head, don't even dream about it!"
"The sanctum head can enter the room?"
Zhang Xuan was taken aback.
It seemed like he was the only candidate for the position of the sanctum head.
Even though he wasn't the sanctum head yet, it wouldn't be long before he succeeded …
"Of course! The sanctum head is the highest authority in the Sanctum of Sages. Even if my teacher refuses to allow anyone to enter, he wouldn't dare to turn down the sanctum head! "
Senior Shui shook her head. "However, it has been more than three hundred years since the Sanctum of Sages has had a sanctum head, and the one handling the affairs at the moment is only the deputy sanctum head … Alright, I've said too much. The sanctum head isn't someone we can discuss with insignificant figures like us. After explaining so much, do you still want to head over? If you do, you can leave right now. If you think that it's hopeless, don't bother me anymore! "
"Of course I'm going!"
Zhang Xuan replied with a smile.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
