On the other side.
Ever since returning from Gu Chengming'
s small courtyard, rit Elder Liu Enchuan'
s mood was visibly improved.
His usually stern face was now as thawed as spring ice. The passing attendant disciples exchanged glances, secretly spreading rumors: had the rit Elder recently achieved a major breakthrough in cultivation, or perhaps stumbled upon so great opportunity?
In a sense, he had indeed found a treasure.
The first thing Liu Enchuan did upon returning to the rit Hall was to pull up all of Gu Chengming'
s files.
Learning that the other party hadn'
t claid resources for three years since joining the sect, he thought, "
As expected."
If he was diligently cultivating sword intent without seeking resources, it made much more sense for him to still be at the First Realm, Third Level after so long in the sect.
In his excitent, Liu Enchuan had even entertained the thought of taking him as a disciple.
He had even ntally drafted the entire process for a disciple-acceptance ceremony, thinking about how to show off in front of the other elders.
But after calming down, this thought was extinguished.
Although he, Liu Enchuan, was the rit Elder and possessed third realm cultivation, he knew his own limitations.
Most of his cultivation was accumulated through ti and resources;
while his swordsmanship was proficient, it was rely "
proficient,"
having long lost its sharp, enterprising edge.
Teaching ordinary disciples would be fine, but facing a "
rough jade"
like Gu Chengming...
"
Forget it."
Liu Enchuan sighed, shaking his head.
"
If I were to forcibly take him as a disciple and teach him with my diocre thods, I would only be misleading a promising talent and ruining a piece of fine jade."
Such a genius needs to be guided by a true grand cultivator.
Just as he was thinking, a hearty laugh ca from outside the hall.
"
Junior brother, I hear you'
ve been in good spirits these past two days? Is there sothing joyful happening?"
Before seeing the person, his voice was heard.
Imdiately after, an elder wearing a gray robe, with white hair and beard but a ruddy complexion, stepped in.
This person was none other than the Great Elder of Huiyuan Gate, and Liu Enchuan'
s senior brother, Ren Wencai.
"
Senior brother has arrived."
Liu Enchuan quickly rose to greet him, personally pouring a cup of spirit tea for his senior brother.
"
Not exactly a joyful event, but I discovered sothing interesting and wanted to discuss it with senior brother."
The two sat down and chatted about the recent happenings in the sect.
Ren Wencai took a sip of tea, and seeing Liu Enchuan'
s hesitant yet eager-to-show-off expression, he couldn'
t help but laugh:
"
Alright, stop holding back. What could make you so happy?"
Seeing the ti was ripe, Liu Enchuan no longer played coy.
He put down his teacup, his expression becoming serious:
"
Senior brother, do you believe there exists in this world such a... strange genius who, despite a low cultivation realm, can fight above their level with swordsmanship, and even possess an understanding of the sword dao far surpassing ordinary people?"
Ren Wencai was slightly startled by this, then chuckled:
"
Junior brother, are you joking? Fighting above one'
s level is rare but not unheard of. But to say soone with a low cultivation realm has an understanding of the sword dao far beyond ordinary people, this..."
Such a thing might exist in other sects, but with Wenjian Sect'
s cultivation thods... there'
s a strong correlation between sword dao mastery and cultivation level.
"
I didn'
t believe it either, originally."
Liu Enchuan gave a wry smile, then recounted Jiang Lu'
s report and his own experience of going to test Gu Chengming in disguise as '
Liu En,'
detailing everything.
As he spoke of Gu Chengming'
s tenacious, '
bone-sticking'
sword art, and that final, elusive '
Antelope Hanging Horns'
strike, Liu Enchuan'
s tone still held undeniable astonishnt.
"
That one sword strike, if I hadn'
t relied on my deep cultivation to forcibly change my move, I truly would have lost great face."
After listening to his junior brother'
s narration, the smile on Ren Wencai'
s face gradually faded, replaced by a thoughtful expression.
He knew his junior brother'
s character well.
Liu Enchuan was always pragmatic, even sowhat rigid, never one to exaggerate or speak idly.
Since he could speak to this extent, even going so far as to lower his status to test it, it ant there was a ninety percent chance it was true.
Seeing his senior brother'
s interest, Liu Enchuan struck while the iron was hot, saying:
"
Senior brother, this child has extraordinary talent and an even rarer temperant. I know my own shallow knowledge and cannot teach him. But you, senior brother, are different;
you have imrsed yourself in the sword dao for a century. If you could take him as your personal disciple and teach him diligently, he will surely beco a pillar of our Huiyuan Gate in the future!"
Liu Enchuan'
s calculations were shrewd.
If his senior brother took a disciple, then Gu Chengming would be his grand-nephew;
rounding up, he'
d be one of their own, keeping the benefits within the family.
However, to his surprise, after hearing the suggestion, Ren Wencai pondered for a mont, then slowly shook his head.
"
No."
"
Why?"
Liu Enchuan was startled and asked anxiously, "
Does senior brother dislike his low cultivation realm?"
"
Not at all."
Ren Wencai waved his hand.
"
Junior brother, you only know one part, not the other."
"
If what you say is true, that this child hasn'
t claid resources for three years, is willing to hone his sword intent at a low realm, and his swordsmanship is naturally perfected... then what he cultivates is probably not our usual path."
Liu Enchuan was sowhat bewildered: "
What path is that?"
Ren Wencai took a deep breath and slowly uttered four words:
"
Ancient Bitter Sword."
"
Bitter Sword?"
Liu Enchuan frowned, this term was sowhat unfamiliar to him.
Ren Wencai nodded and slowly explained:
"
In ancient tis, sword cultivators either absorbed the essence of the sun and moon or refined rare treasures. However, the Bitter Sword lineage took a vastly different path."
"
Its path states: the more the body suffers, the stronger the will;
the more tranquil the heart, the sharper the sword! This is not a thod of refining artifacts, but truly an art of refining the heart to prove the Dao, using boundless hardship as a whetstone to sharpen that innate spiritual sword intent within the heart."
At this point, Ren Wencai looked at Liu Enchuan:
"
Cultivators of this lineage often progress extrely slowly in the early stages, sotis making no progress for years or even decades. Others see them as decaying wood or stubborn stones. But in reality, they are accumulating power, nurturing their sword."
"
Once that critical point is reached..."
Ren Wencai paused, a trace of reminiscence flashing in his eyes:
"
Wenjian Sect once had a grand cultivator who cultivated this way, breaking through three major realms overnight. As the saying goes, '
with heavy tribulations, the sword resonates on its own.'
"
Liu Enchuan also knew who his senior brother was referring to: that true cultivator known as the '
True Monarch Who Defies Fate and Slashes Calamities.'
Throughout the history of Wenjian Sect since its founding, this individual had truly left a profound mark.
He swallowed, feeling his throat dry.
"
Senior brother ans... Gu Chengming is also following that person'
s path?"
"
Eight or nine tis out of ten."
Ren Wencai stroked his beard, looking profound and unfathomable.
"
If we were to take him as a disciple in the usual way and impart cultivation thods, it would instead disturb his dao heart. For a Bitter Sword seedling like him, the best way to teach is '
not to teach.'
Let him comprehend in hardship and temper himself in desperation."
Liu Enchuan nodded repeatedly, a wave of fear washing over him.
"
Fortunately, I didn'
t act rashly before. Senior brother truly has vast experience."
If he had truly, on a whim, taken Gu Chengming as a disciple, constantly fed him pills, and forced him to practice those flashy sword moves, wouldn'
t he have beco a criminal who stifled a genius?
But then, Liu Enchuan'
s brows furrowed again, and a troubled expression appeared on his face.
"
Senior brother is absolutely right. Although this '
Ancient Bitter Sword'
is powerful, it emphasizes sudden enlightennt and accumulating strength for a grand release. But currently... the sect'
s disciple assessnt is approaching."
Liu Enchuan pointed to the report on the table:
"
This assessnt has strict rules: if your realm isn'
t high enough, you'
re directly eliminated. Gu Chengming is only at the First Realm, Third Level right now. Even if his swordsmanship is superb, he won'
t pass according to the rules. If he'
s expelled from the sect, then what good is his Bitter Sword path, or any sudden enlightennt? Wouldn'
t it all beco an illusion?"
Ren Wencai, hearing this, smiled calmly and waved his hand:
"
No worries, I'
ll figure out a way for this matter."
Liu Enchuan imdiately turned pale with shock upon hearing this.
"
Senior brother! Please don'
t ss around!"
He lowered his voice: "
The disciple assessnt is personally overseen by Inner Sect elders. If we'
re caught engaging in favoritism or cheating, how will our Huiyuan Gate ever establish itself within the sect again? We'
d lose imnse face!"
"
Who do you take your senior brother for?"
Seeing his junior brother'
s alard expression, Ren Wencai let out a wry laugh.
He reached out and patted Liu Enchuan'
s shoulder, signaling him to calm down.
"
Don'
t worry, I won'
t engage in favoritism or cheating."
"
You just wait and see."
Reviews
All reviews (0)