Chapter 20: Chapter 18: Unrivaled Seedling

Translator: 549690339

“Sword Saint senior, this is the child of Tiangang, Li Hao.”

While the maid went to call Bian Ruxue, He Jianlan introduced him to the white-haired elder beside her, “Speaking of Hao Er’s name, it was granted by Emperor Yu. What do you think of this child?”

When Emperor Yu was mentioned, the white-haired elder glanced at the woman and immediately understood her intentions, feeling slightly displeased, but he said nothing and began assessing the young boy before him.

Li Hao was also looking up and sizing up the other party.

When he heard the title the elderly lady used for the old man, he was somewhat surprised and understood why Fu’s reaction had been so significant.

Previously, while searching through chess manuals at Listening Rain Tower, he had also come across interesting stories and deeds of significant figures in Jianghu.

In the records of Jianghu figures from the past century, only three were known as Sword Saints.

One resided in Southern Sword Hut, one had retired in the green lakes amid the yellow sands of the North Desert, and another was like a dragon seen in head but not in tail.

All three were masters of swordsmanship, startling the world with their swords, revered as Sword Saints.

Which of the three Sword Saints was the strongest had been a perpetual topic of debate for enthusiasts over the past hundred years.

His own third uncle, possessing extremely high talent in Sword Dao, had cleaved half of the Jianghu and Demon Forest of Jingzhou with a single sword stroke and yet had not been entitled as a Sword Saint, which spoke volumes of this old man’s terrifying strength.

He wondered, which one of the three was he?

As their gazes met, Li Hao immediately saw in the old man’s eyes a deeply hidden Sword Intent, profound as the sea and abyss.

Yet this Sword Intent was concealed beneath dark and placid eyes, imperceptible unless one had a second-level understanding of the Sword Dao.

“I hear the child of Tiangang has failed in both Foundation Establishment and Blood Melting and lacks martial arts talent?”

Jian Wudao coolly looked down at the child before him. The Kylin children of the Divine General Mansion were regarded as extremely prestigious, second only to the imperial heirs, but to him, they were nothing significant, and there was no need to show deference to a mere child.

He Jianlan’s face stiffened slightly as she nodded.

“Correct. Hence, I wanted to see, Sword Saint senior, if this child has the talent for swordsmanship? If, in the future, he can engage in Body Cultivation and learn the sword, it would be his way of serving the nation and guarding a region for Dayu.”

At the mention of “guarding,” Jian Wudao’s expression shifted slightly, softening a bit.

Given his status, as long as the older generation of the Li Family did not intervene, he did not need to concern himself with the thoughts of the younger generation.

But the Li Family’s great achievements over thousands of years indeed commanded respect, especially in recent decades when occasional turmoil at the Frontier Pass saw six of the Nine Sons of the Li Family fallen in battle, a fact solemn enough to command profound respect!

“Let’s observe together in a while,” Jian Wudao calmly said.

He Jianlan was delighted, nodding her head.

Soon, Bian Ruxue was brought before everyone by Xuejian, the little girl obviously nervous before the crowd of adults.

She instinctively stood behind Li Hao, using him to shield half of her body.

This scene was familiar to her; it had occurred during Li Hao’s Foundation Establishment and bone measuring. Only, the expressions of those adults afterward had made her feel sad.

“Sword Saint senior, this is the sword dao prodigy I mentioned to you on behalf of Bai Jing,” said an elder from the military, moving forward with small steps and speaking respectfully as soon as Bian Ruxue arrived.

Jian Wudao nodded slightly. He had come mainly because his third disciple had tirelessly entreated him, talking about the maiden from the Divine General Mansion as if she were something miraculous. Having a fondness for talent, he had then descended from the Sword Cottage for a visit to this flourishing age.

“Power Passage Realm level ten, perfection, robust skeletal structure, not bad.”

Jian Wudao identified the young girl’s Cultivation Realm in a glance, his eyes showing satisfaction, having heard she was a ninth-grade battle physique, top-tier talent, meaning she wouldn’t need much worrying over in terms of future cultivation practices.

“Little girl, demonstrate your best swordsmanship for me,” Jian Wudao said.

Bian Ruxue looked at the unfamiliar yet imposing elderly man, feeling nervous, and subconsciously glanced at Li Hao for reassurance.

Understanding that it was Xue’er’s opportunity, Li Hao immediately smiled and pushed her forward, saying, “Don’t be afraid, don’t be nervous, I’m right here.”

Encouraged by Li Hao, Bian Ruxue’s timidity dissipated quite a bit, and she nodded. The little girl then walked to the side, and without needing He Jianlan to signal, the rest naturally made way for the young girl.

Quickly, Bian Ruxue’s swordsmanship swept out, like snow cascading down, her posture as graceful as a startled swan, with a mastery and agility in her movements that carried an essence of returning to simplicity and truth.

This essence was immediately captured by Jian Wudao, who had been immersed in the Sword Dao for nearly a hundred years. The old man’s sharp, elongated eyes, like sword blades, suddenly widened, revealing an unmistakable thrill of excitement.

This was more than mere talent in the Sword Dao—it was the rare genius of the Sword Dao that one might see once in a century!

At this age, to have cultivated a superior sword technique to perfection was already enough to match his most outstanding disciple, not to mention that there was now a hint of ultimate refinement.

What an exceptional sword training prodigy!

“Hahaha…” Jian Wudao couldn’t help but burst into laughter, the hearty sound causing the dry leaves on the nearby trees to tremble and fall.

Worth it, so worth it!

The trip to the mortal world had not been in vain.

The people around, hearing the Sword Saint’s resonant laughter, immediately knew that the girl’s destiny had soared from that moment on.

Although already highly esteemed in the Divine General Mansion, praised by the world, it was really meeting a master like the Sword Saint that she truly climbed to the peak, with a future promising to make her a household name, celebrated for generations!

In an instant, countless complex gazes in the courtyard converged on the young girl holding the sword.

Bian Ruxue stopped her sword movements, feeling the intense gaze focused on her and looked nervously towards Li Hao.

Li Hao gave her a toothy smile and gave a thumbs-up.

Bian Ruxue understood the gesture—it was praise for doing a great job.

Thus, the young girl also relaxed and smiled broadly.

“You’ve recommended well, very well indeed!”

The previously serious-faced Jian Wudao, now radiating a commanding aura, laughed heartily, slapping the shoulder of an old military man beside him. If it weren’t for his connection with his third disciple, who highly recommended her, he wouldn’t have stumbled upon such an exceptional sword talent.

“The senior flatters us, it’s Xue’er’s fortune to be apprenticed under the Sword Saint,” the old military man said, visibly moved.

The two appeared similar in appearance, both looking like men in their sixties, but in reality, the differences in their ages and statuses were extraordinarily vast.

Jian Wudao smiled, in excellent spirits, he walked over to the young girl, bent down, and in a pleasant tone said, “Young lady, you like the sword, right? How about I take you on a journey to train?”

Bian Ruxue was slightly stunned and asked, “Where to?”

“Sword Cottage.”

Jian Wudao, smiling, revealed this holy land coveted by swordsmen all over the world, saying, “I will teach you swordsmanship there, the best there is.”

Bian Ruxue, not understanding, simply asked, “Is it far?”

“About nine thousand miles to the south, which, for you, is quite far,” Jian Wudao said with a smile.

Bian Ruxue immediately looked toward Li Hao, not far away, and said, “Brother Hao, are you going too?”

Jian Wudao then realized that he had forgotten another child.

He Jianlan timely approached, quietly smiling, “Sword Saint senior, you have yet to witness Hao Er’s talent in the Sword Dao. It’s said he also possesses an innate sensibility for it.”

“Yes, senior,” Li Fu added excitedly, sensing an opportunity, “When Xue’er practices her swordsmanship, the young master often watches on the side, even giving her some solid advice. Though he hasn’t trained formally, he seems to have his own understanding and talent for the Sword Dao.”

Jian Wudao was somewhat surprised, glancing at Li Hao, his brow slightly furrowed, but out of respect for He Jianlan nearby, he immediately said, “Alright, give him a sword, let him demonstrate whatever sword move he wants.”

“Thank you, Sword Saint senior!”

Li Fu was overjoyed, thanking him profusely, then turned to Bian Ruxue, “Miss Xue’er, please lend your sword to the young master for a moment.”

Bian Ruxue obediently nodded, handing the sword over to Li Hao.