Chapter 69: Is Chen Huaian the Grand Elder?

Half a day earlier—

"Disciple Qingran, paying respects to the Sect Master!"

Li Qingran bowed gracefully to Su Qinian.

She had successfully passed all the tests and assessments of the Sword Pavilion and was now officially accepted as a disciple.

It was only then that she realized that all four elders of the Sword Pavilion had been mobilized to compete for spirit stones. The one who had flown her here was the Sword Pavilion's senior sister, Su Qinian's direct disciple—the Xuanwu Sword, Yue Qianchi.

The Sword Pavilion had few disciples, and its buildings were old and dilapidated, exuding an air of poverty. Along the way, she had seen no more than a hundred Sword Pavilion disciples, and they all seemed a bit eccentric.

"Hahaha, Qingran, there's no need to be so formal. Since you've joined our Sword Pavilion, you're now part of the family," Su Qinian stroked his beard and led Li Qingran to the sect's square, smiling as he said, "I had no choice but to deceive you earlier by saying we were the Qingyun Sect. At the time, there were too many people around, and someone might have been watching us. We had just pulled off a big heist and couldn't afford to be exposed, so we had no choice but to resort to this."

Li Qingran felt that robbery was not the right path, even though the Sword Pavilion hadn't harmed anyone. Still, it was wrong. But when she thought that this Sword Pavilion might be her master's sect, her little misgivings vanished.

She even began to understand Su Qinian a bit. As a renowned sect famous for its swordsmanship, if they had any other choice, the Pavilion Master surely wouldn't have led the elders to rob. Clearly, they had been pushed to the brink.

Such a thing would likely only happen once.

Once the Sword Pavilion overcame this difficulty, such a situation would surely not occur again.

But then she heard the short and plump Elder Yuan Sanshi say, "Pavilion Master, this time's haul was quite substantial—over a hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones. That should last us for a while. Who should we rob next?"

Su Qinian didn't even think before replying, "In a month, during the Central Continent's secret realm, we'll pull off another heist! How about that?"

The elders were overjoyed and cupped their hands in respect, saying, "The Pavilion Master is wise!"

Li Qingran: "..."

Sorry, she took back what she had just thought.

Since they had brought Li Qingran back, they had to take responsibility for her. Su Qinian had the elders stand in a row and introduced them one by one:

"Qingran, our Sword Pavilion has six major peaks.

First is my Xuanwu Peak, which cultivates the Xuanwu Sword Intent, capable of splitting rocks and mountains—a heavy sword.

Elder Yuan's Lingyun Peak, the first momentum sword, whose aura overwhelms mountains and rivers; Elder Li's Hidden Sword Peak, which cultivates the art of nurturing and concealing the sword—the sword rarely leaves its sheath, but when it does, it must taste blood; Elder Wang's Frostfall Cliff, which cultivates the world's first frost sword, whose intent chills to the bone and brings snowfall across the mountains; Elder Wu's Emotionless Peak, which cultivates the Emotionless Sword Intent—its blade erodes the bones, and its intent erodes the soul.

In addition, there's a sixth peak, the Ten Thousand Swords Peak. However, none of us cultivate the Peerless Sword Intent. There's only a stone tablet there for contemplation, and no elder to guide you. I advise you to choose carefully."

Seeing Li Qingran's dazed expression, Su Qinian stroked his beard and suggested:

"You have a single water spirit root, and your dantian quality is exceptional—a once-in-ten-thousand-years genius for cultivation. I recommend you cultivate the frost sword and join Elder Wang's peak. His Ice Soul Sword Technique complements your water spirit root, and your cultivation speed will be rapid.

Moreover, you must keep your exceptional dantian a secret. Don't tell anyone. Within the Sword Pavilion, the elders, senior brothers, and sisters can protect you, but outside the sect, the world is treacherous, and trouble could arise."

"Qingran will remember this," Li Qingran came back to her senses and bowed respectfully.

Before entering the Sword Pavilion, during the talent assessment, she had been worried that her exceptional dantian might cause trouble if discovered.

To her surprise, the Pavilion Master and the elders were only briefly astonished.

Later, through their conversation, she learned that the Sword Pavilion had over thirty disciples with graded dantians. Senior Sister Yue Qianchi, for example, had a second-grade dantian. Her own exceptional dantian was indeed rare, but in the Sword Pavilion, it wasn't something to make a fuss about.

The Sword Pavilion might seem unremarkable because it didn't compete.

It might appear poor, but it hid great depth.

Like a sword in its sheath.

Perhaps the only thing that could stir the emotions of these swordsmen was the lack of money.

Although the peak recommended by the Pavilion Master was excellent, and there were elders to guide her, Li Qingran hadn't forgotten her goal—she wanted to become a medical cultivator.

To become a medical cultivator, the sword couldn't be her primary focus.

So she couldn't join any of the peaks with elders.

She didn't want to clash with an elder over differing opinions in the future.

Thus, she bowed and said, "Disciple wishes to join the sixth peak."

Su Qinian smiled wryly upon hearing Li Qingran's choice: "You still want to become a pill or medical cultivator?"

Li Qingran lowered her head and remained silent.

"Very well, then you may go to the sixth peak."

Su Qinian didn't force her but offered some advice:

"From the perfectly suited internal technique you possess, it's clear you already have a master. I'm not worried about you lacking cultivation methods. Although our Sword Pavilion focuses on sword cultivation, its foundation is deeper than any other sect in the Cangyun Realm. Don't be fooled by the small number of disciples or the dilapidated peaks. When you enter the Scripture Pavilion, you'll discover a whole new world."

Li Qingran didn't think the Pavilion Master was exaggerating.

Because she heard absolute confidence and pride in his words.

With that, the regret of not being able to enter the Lingxi Valley lessened considerably.

Moreover, this place might truly be connected to her master.

Thinking this, Li Qingran couldn't help but ask:

"Sect Master, Qingran dares to ask—do you know a senior surnamed Chen?"

"Surnamed Chen? A swordsman?" Su Qinian raised an eyebrow.

"Yes."

"Ah, ahahaha..." Su Qinian looked into Li Qingran's expectant eyes, then spun a tale: "Yes, I know him. Elder Chen is our Sword Pavilion's Grand Elder, but he's no longer here. I don't know where he is—probably off somewhere killing demons for fun!"

"So that's it!" A wave of joy surged in Li Qingran's heart.

So this really was the sect where her master had once been!

No wonder their sword-flying styles were so similar.

"Mm, focus on your cultivation. When Elder Chen returns, I'll introduce you to him," Su Qinian said, shaking his head. "Elder Chen is very strict with his disciples. He won't meet anyone without sufficient strength, so you'll need to improve your cultivation level."

"Yes! Disciple will remember!" Li Qingran bowed again, a bright smile on her face.

"Alright, go with your senior sister to choose a residence."

Su Qinian gave Yue Qianchi a look.

Yue Qianchi understood and immediately led Li Qingran away.

···

"Pavilion Master, does our Sword Pavilion really have a Grand Elder surnamed Chen?"

"Of course not!"

"Then why did you..."

"This girl has an exceptional dantian and a single water spirit root. If she seriously cultivates the sword, her future will be limitless. She's so eager to ask about that Chen swordsman—he must be the master who gave her the water-phase internal technique. For some reason, he left her, so I deliberately said that."

Su Qinian clasped his hands behind his back, gazing at the vast sea of clouds beneath the mountain peak, his eyes distant:

"Would you really want to see such a genius waste her potential on the dead-end paths of medical and pill cultivation?

This is an era of great contention, not prosperity. The Purple Star is dim, and calamity is approaching. Only the sword at your waist can protect you. Medical and pill cultivators may seem promising, but when push comes to shove, they'll just dismantle your pharmacy and kick over your pill furnace, and you'll be left helpless! I'm just cherishing her talent."

The elders exchanged glances, suddenly enlightened, and bowed in unison:

"The Pavilion Master is wise!"

…

…