Chapter 32: The Frenzy of Seeking Masters

The Sword Servant and the Elder of Heavenly Sword approached Xiao Tian. Xiao Tian's heart tightened, and he became wary. Being pursued by those intent on taking his life and fleeing all the way here had made him trust no one easily.

With white hair and beard, and carrying a spirit sword on his back, the Elder of Heavenly Sword asked, "Is this young brother a cultivator from the Taiyi Sect?"

Xiao Tian shook his head, replying, "I am not a cultivator from the Taiyi Sect. May I ask... what brings this senior here to the Taiyi Sect?"

The Elder of Heavenly Sword explained, "My disciple and I have come here, drawn by the reputation, hoping to join and study under the Sect Master of the Taiyi Sect."

Hearing this, Xiao Tian's expression became odd.

What did he mean?

This elder, along with his disciple, wanted to join the Taiyi Sect under the Sect Master.

In the world of cultivation, the relationship between a master and disciple is even more significant than that of father and son. A righteous master is considered a father for life.

Yet, this elder, disregarding societal norms, wanted to become a disciple along with his own disciple under the Sect Master of the Taiyi Sect.

Madness!

Utter madness!

How would the seniority work then?

Outrageous!

Unable to help himself, Xiao Tian remarked, "Senior, this... might be frowned upon by society."

The Elder of Heavenly Sword, understanding what Xiao Tian was thinking, responded with a bitter smile, "Young man, to hear the Dao in the morning is to die content in the evening. The true person of the Taiyi Sect is a prodigy, who in just the time it takes two incense sticks to burn, comprehended ninety-nine sword scars. We, as sword cultivators, are willing to die for the Dao. What do worldly norms matter to us?"

Xiao Tian was even more shocked.

To hear the Dao in the morning and die content in the evening!

What kind of person was the Sect Master of the Taiyi Sect, to make a Sword Servant's master speak such words?

Xiao Tian quickly inquired for more details.

The Elder of Heavenly Sword did not hold back, vividly sharing the events within the Sanctuary of Fallen Saints with Xiao Tian.

"The stone stele of Dao enlightenment left by a sage, containing ninety-nine sword scars, was comprehended by the Sect Master of Taiyi in the time it takes two incense sticks to burn, obtaining the fighting characters decision... those were ninety-nine sword scars, and just the thirty-first scar caused the Sword Servant's Dao heart to collapse, swearing off the sword forever..."

Xiao Tian became more confused as he listened.

What was the stone stele of Dao enlightenment?

What were the ninety-nine sword scars?

Having grown up in a lesser branch of his family, Xiao Tian was not well-versed in the wider world of cultivation.

At this moment, the elder of the Xiao family inside the ring spoke up, "Tian'er, the stone stele of Dao enlightenment is a way for the powerful to leave their legacies. For instance, the stele mentioned by him, engraved by the founding sage of the Great Qian dynasty with ninety-nine sword scars, bestows the legacy only to those who comprehend these scars."

"This kind of stone stele of Dao enlightenment is incredibly challenging. It's used for the inheritance of sacred places and selects only those with monstrous talent. For the Sect Master of Taiyi to comprehend the sage's stone stele in the time it takes two incense sticks to burn is simply... a prodigy! Even the divine children of great sacred lands might not compare!"

Xiao Tian gasped.

After the explanation from the elder of the Xiao family, Xiao Tian was utterly astonished.

The Sect Master of Taiyi possessed talent on par with divine children!

"No wonder the divination showed that the Taiyi Sect is where your life's opportunities lie."

The elder of the Xiao family also sighed, adding no more.

Xiao Tian's resolve to join the Taiyi Sect solidified even further.

At that moment,

The voice of the Elder of Heavenly Sword rose, "Young friend, seeing you've stayed outside the gate for a while, do you know when the Taiyi Sect will accept disciples?"

"Umm..."

Xiao Tian thought for a moment and said, "In about half a month, the Taiyi Sect will hold a ceremony to accept disciples..."

Before he could finish, Xiao Tian saw the Elder of Heavenly Sword already knocking on the gate and respectfully saying, "Sect Master of Taiyi, I am Tian Jian, seeking to become your disciple."

Xiao Tian wanted to say that he had already inquired, and the Sect would not be accepting disciples until half a month later!

Otherwise, why would he still be waiting outside?

However, as Xiao Tian was silently grumbling, he saw a rainbow light approaching from afar. A figure in green, with an extraordinary demeanor, landed in front of the gate.

It was Jiang Chen.

"Sect Master! Senior! Please accept me as your disciple!"

The Elder of Heavenly Sword bowed respectfully.

Beside him, the solemn Sword Servant, upon seeing Jiang Chen, gleamed with excitement in his eyes and also bowed, albeit gloomily, saying, "Please accept me as your disciple a thousand times over!"

Realizing Jiang Chen's identity as the Sect Master, Xiao Tian hurriedly knelt down and said, "Please accept me as your disciple, Sect Master!"

Jiang Chen was dumbfounded.

What's going on?

How did three people suddenly come to me to seek apprenticeship? And among them, there's even a master-disciple pair?

Jiang Chen first looked at the Elder of Heavenly Sword. Knowing that this elder was the only one who hadn't intended to kill him, he asked, "Elder of Heavenly Sword, why do you want to become my disciple?"

Without hesitation, the Elder of Heavenly Sword replied, "For the sake of the Way of the Sword."

Jiang Chen then looked at the Sword Servant.

The Sword Servant also answered, "For the sake of the Way of the Sword."

Jiang Chen nodded slightly and activated his True Vision, starting to examine the information of the two individuals.

[Name: Qin Feng] [Title: Elder of Heavenly Sword Sect] [Cultivation: Ninth level of the Dao Foundation] [Physique: None] [Comprehension: 2 stars] [Talent Rating: 2 stars] [Character: Righteous, dedicated to seeking the essence of the Way of the Sword] [Loyalty Level: 100]

To Jiang Chen's surprise, the loyalty level was maxed out, indicating that Qin Feng, who had comprehended ninety-nine sword scars, was highly attracted to the Way of the Sword as shown by the sacred Saint of the past!

However, Qin Feng's talent was indeed somewhat lacking.

He couldn't be taken in as a disciple, but considering his full loyalty level, Jiang Chen decided to let him become an elder temporarily to help share some of the sect's internal affairs.

Jiang Chen continued to examine the Sword Servant.

[Name: None] [Title: Sword Servant] [Cultivation: Ninth level of the Wheeling Sea] [Physique: None] [Comprehension: None] [Talent Rating: 0 stars] [Character: Obsessed with the sword] [Loyalty Level: 100]

Jiang Chen couldn't help but exclaim inwardly at the situation.

This Sword Servant had no name, and everyone called him Sword Servant. Yet, he was obsessed with the sword, devoid of talent and comprehension, and had a talent rating of zero stars.

The only commendable thing about him was his single-minded devotion to the Way of the Sword. He voluntarily became a Sword Servant, indicating his profound fascination with the sword. Moreover, achieving the ninth level of the Wheeling Sea with such mediocre comprehension and talent was quite extraordinary.

Jiang Chen couldn't help but recall the legend of the Innocent Heart.

It was rumored that in ancient times, there was an emperor with an ordinary physique and poor comprehension, losing a hundred battles. However, relying on an Innocent Heart, he eventually ascended to become an emperor.

This Sword Servant was somewhat similar.

Jiang Chen said, "Qin Feng, are you willing to join the Taiyi Sect and become an elder? I can teach you a sword technique every month."

Upon hearing Qin Feng's name, which hadn't been heard for a long time, the Elder of Heavenly Sword couldn't help but feel surprised, and his awe for Jiang Chen grew even stronger.

He nodded hurriedly and said, "Senior, I'm willing, I'm willing!"

Jiang Chen nodded and continued, "As for the Sword Servant, you will stay by my side and wield the sword for me. I'll temporarily accept you as a named disciple."

...