Chapter 668: Seven Sword Immortals Come to Accept Disciples?

Seven Jian Xian?

This remark froze Xin Gugu mid-motion as he bent down to grab Xiao Wanfeng again.

Xu Xiaoshou was equally stunned.

Mei Siren, one of the Seven Jian Xian?

This exclamation finally jogged his memory.

He vaguely recalled that after first hearing the legend of the Eighth Jian Xian, he had specifically gone to the Ling Zang Ge to look up details on the Seven Jian Xian of the continent.

But what he found was that, aside from the famous ones with some recorded deeds,

the others had nothing but their titles.

Yet, it was undeniably true that among the Seven Jian Xian, there was indeed one known as "Siren Mister."

This person was incredibly mysterious!

The records only had a single line: "Travels widely across the world, comes and goes without a trace, and delights in teaching others." Nothing else was known.

Not even a portrait existed, so Xu Xiaoshou found it hard to confirm if the man before him was truly that one from the Seven Jian Xian, "Siren Mister."

For one, the other had admitted it.

For another, there was Xiao Wanfeng's cry of surprise.

It couldn't be that these two had conspired to use some deceptive scheme to sneak into the Heaven's First Tower together, could it?

In just a moment, Xu Xiaoshou dismissed this absurd idea and even questioned why his mind had come up with such nonsense in the first place.

It was completely unnecessary!

This was Tai Xu—why go through all that trouble?

"You..."

Turning back, Xu Xiaoshou tried to speak, but the words stuck in his throat.

He looked the man up and down, hoping to spot something more from this overlooked powerhouse.

But the old man, with his white hair and green robes, had an utterly ordinary face and looked like he was on his last legs.

At best, his eyes were sharper and more spirited than those of someone truly on the brink of death, giving him a bit more presence.

Yet, people like him were a dime a dozen on the streets.

One of the Seven Jian Xian?

The only explanation of "returning to simplicity" seemed inadequate to describe how someone could reach such an extreme level of it!

"Mister..."

Xu Xiaoshou wanted to ask, "Mister, are you really one of the Seven Jian Xian?"

But the question felt ridiculous even to him.

If the other was, how would he answer?

If not, what was the point of asking?

He steadied his thoughts, swallowed hard, and managed to ask, "What was it you wanted to ask earlier, Mister?"

Seven Jian Xian!

This was a powerhouse on the same level as Gou Wuyue!

Even the legendary former Eight Zun An, despite their stunning emergence, hadn't immediately claimed that title and had been suppressed instead.

And the one who suppressed them was Hua Changdeng, another of the Seven Jian Xian!

Xu Xiaoshou knew that the true combat strength of these Jian Xian-level figures was extremely vague, and people couldn't rank them properly.

The only thing he could be sure of was that the current Eight Zun An's theoretical power should surpass Gou Wuyue's.

But in that battle at Bai Ku, the alliances and personal ties were deeply intertwined and incredibly complex.

It was impossible that neither side had held back.

So, if it came to a fight to the death, who would win was impossible to analyze from that half-hearted clash.

Given that, the seemingly affable old man standing before him might actually be an unparalleled expert who could defeat Eight Zun An?

Xu Xiaoshou's head spun from these thoughts.

He felt afraid for his earlier aggressive stance and ridiculous for thinking he could lure the man into the Heaven's First Tower and then call on A-Jie with the Bagua Pilgrimage Chart to suppress him.

"From your reaction, it seems you didn't recognize me after all?" Mei Siren continued fanning himself, staring at the beads of sweat on Xu Xiaoshou's forehead, looking somewhat surprised.

The old man was still his usual self.

Every word came casually, and he never bothered to follow up on others' questions.

But this time, Xu Xiaoshou was extraordinarily patient and didn't dare to press him.

"Heh, I'm blind, I truly didn't see your true form just now, Mister..."

Wiping away his sweat, Xu Xiaoshou was flustered and ended up speaking carelessly, "As the old saying goes, one shouldn't... uh, cough cough!"

"Scared, passive points, 1."

His words cut off abruptly as Xu Xiaoshou startled himself into a coughing fit, trying to cover it up.

"Heh, 'don't judge a book by its cover,' right?"

Mei Siren was quite easygoing and didn't mind at all.

He ignored the newcomers at the door, offered a few comforting words, and then finally answered Xu Xiaoshou's earlier question: "What I asked before was about your physique—what exactly is it? It's quite mysterious."

"You're overpraising me, Mister."

Xu Xiaoshou didn't even dare call himself "young master" anymore—who was he to let the other address him as "young friend"?

As soon as he imagined the man as Gou Wuyue, everything felt chaotic.

"Calling me 'young friend' is too much; just call me Xiao Xu."

"Scared, passive points, 1."

He nearly bit his tongue again from his slip-up.

In just a few sentences, he'd almost gotten himself into trouble twice!

Xu Xiaoshou wanted to slap himself.

He quickly changed the subject, steering it elsewhere. "As for my physique, I don't know the details myself—it's just something innate and a bit special."

He spread his hands, steadied his mind, and noticed the "sharp light" on himself that he'd been ignoring.

According to Mei Siren's words, this could even be seen as... a Jian body?

Honestly, Xu Xiaoshou had always thought that once his "sharp" passive skill leveled up, it would be incredibly useful.

But to prevent every part of his body from turning into a blade, it was the one passive skill he didn't want to upgrade on purpose.

Yet, today, Mei Siren's appearance seemed to offer a new direction for the "sharp" passive skill?

"Jian body..."

Xu Xiaoshou murmured to himself, thinking of the Eighth Jian Xian.

Back then, Eight Zun An was a prodigy, achieving innate mastery in three breaths and becoming a Jian Xian in three years, but the only thing holding him back was his mortal body.

Later, after a series of setbacks, he cultivated the "Indestructible Jian Body," comparable to a saint body.

—A feat unmatched before or since!

In comparison, if the growth path of his "sharp" passive skill led toward a Jian Dao saint body, wouldn't that mean, once leveled up, it would be a true divine ability?

Crucially, unlike the more supportive passives like "perception" or "concealment,"

"sharp" was one of the few that, like "sturdy," directly affected his physical body and had active attack properties.

In other words, though it was called a passive skill on the surface...

It was essentially an instant-active ability!

Whether defending against attacks or launching them, it could take effect.

Most importantly, it could awaken!

Based on past experiences, if "sharp" awakened, it would likely be similar to "berserk giant," enhancing attack power.

If he leveled it up...

As Xu Xiaoshou pondered, his heart grew hot, nearly overwhelming his earlier caution, but he didn't act impulsively.

Because no matter how great the imagined effects were, the most practical one would never change.

—Sharpness would make every part of his body sharper!

The higher the level, the more obvious the effect!

Xu Xiaoshou didn't want to become a literal "sword person." If possible, he still hoped to have children—chubby, adorable ones who just sold cuteness every day.

"May I touch it?" While Xu Xiaoshou was lost in thought, Mei Siren hesitated for a moment before extending his hand, wanting to make contact.

The young man's physique was too unique; he couldn't quite figure it out.

But if he could get close and touch it,

even just once, he could instantly deduce everything.

As one of the Seven Jian Xian, wanting to touch a young man's body—especially since they were both men—no one present would find it inappropriate.

Yet, just as Mei Siren naturally reached out, and Xin Gugu and Xiao Wanfeng naturally assumed Xu Xiaoshou would agree,

"Sorry."

Xu Xiaoshou stepped back, creating distance, his eyes full of regret as he said, "I'm not comfortable with that."

His body held too many secrets.

With "concealment," the Cinder Glare Origin Seed, Three-Day Frozen Calamity, his cultivation, Jian Nian... and so on—even if the person before him was one of the Seven Jian Xian or from Tai Xu, they probably couldn't detect anything.

But direct contact was different!

These highly distinctive features could help the other instantly guess his identity.

The Cinder Glare Origin Seed and Three-Day Frozen Calamity weren't too bad; at most, the other might figure out he was Xu Xiaoshou, but it was more likely they wouldn't even know who that was.

But "Jian Nian" was different!

It was a signature product of the Eighth Jian Xian, and Xu Xiaoshou didn't believe that Mei Siren, as one of the Seven Jian Xian, wouldn't recognize it.

Without enough information, what was the relationship between Mei Siren and Eight Zun An—enemies, friends, or strangers?

He had no idea!

Xu Xiaoshou was certain of only one thing: he couldn't take the risk.

Good relationships or none at all didn't matter.

If it was a bad one...

One touch, and he might die on the spot!

Mei Siren's eyebrows twitched in surprise.

He hadn't expected the young man to refuse. Was it because the physique was too special to reveal, or did the boy still harbor suspicions?

"Young friend, you might have misunderstood me."

Mei Siren withdrew his hand and, instead of forcing contact, explained his true intention:

"I'm drawn to your physique and feel joyful about it, so I want to take you as my disciple."

"This contact is just to understand the true nature of your physique."

"But no matter what, as long as you're truly devoted to the Jian Dao—whether it's a spiritual body, a saint body, or the most ordinary one—

once the thought arises in me, I'll spare no effort to teach you and pass on the true path you seek."

He spoke seriously, his demeanor sincere, like a true mentor.

Xu Xiaoshou couldn't help but recall the three-word description of Mei Siren from the Ling Zang Ge: "Travels widely across the world, comes and goes without a trace, and delights in teaching others."

Delights in teaching... Did this old man go around collecting disciples and imparting knowledge wherever he went?

"Xu Shao, this is an opportunity!"

While he was still thinking, the pinned-down Xiao Wanfeng urged eagerly:

"Mei Siren has disciples all over the world, but they only realize after parting ways or after a long separation that their teacher was one of the Seven Jian Xian."

"By then, it's too late to regret not learning properly. Today, Mei Siren is revealing his true self to you and wants to teach you the Jian Dao..."

Xiao Wanfeng swallowed hard, his face flushing as he roared, "This is a once-in-a-thousand-years chance!!!"

"Shut up."

Xin Gugu stomped down, picking at his ear—he'd been irritated by the shouting.

"Oh."

Xiao Wanfeng slumped back down weakly.

Xu Xiaoshou was shaken by this heartfelt plea.

From it, he could sense a true ancient Jian Xiu's yearning for such an opportunity.

Yet, beyond that yearning, the young man still kept his composure, without a hint of jealousy, and sincerely advised him first...

Xu Xiaoshou smiled at Xiao Wanfeng.

He turned to Mei Siren, who was staring at him intently, as if knowing the allure of his offer to take a disciple.

"I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you, Mei Siren..."

Xu Xiaoshou apologized first, then said seriously, "Once, someone else wanted to take me as a disciple, but I told him: My Jian Dao needs no teacher!"

"You're crazy?!"

Xiao Wanfeng lifted his head despite the force on it, his eyes full of shock and disbelief.

"Down."

Xin Gugu pressed harder with his foot.

"Mm."

Xiao Wanfeng lay flat again.

Mei Siren's eyebrows shot up in astonishment.

This answer was beyond his expectations.

He had never imagined that another person devoted to the Jian Dao would choose to refuse him!

"Do you know who I am?" Mei Siren even doubted himself.

Xu Xiaoshou replied calmly, "You're Mei Siren, one of the Seven Jian Xian."

"Yes!" Mei Siren's voice grew heavier involuntarily.

Xu Xiaoshou glanced at his information panel and, getting a clear and affirmative response with no changes, finally confirmed the man's identity.

But at that moment, his mood relaxed.

From the initial shock of learning the other's identity, to understanding, and now to acceptance... Xu Xiaoshou could finally face the old man with a normal mindset.

Seven Jian Xian? He wasn't exactly a stranger to them.

In fact, he'd even faced one of the Seven Jian Xian as an enemy, drawing his sword against him.

So, why should he be so on edge now?

As for taking disciples...

In this world, aside from forceful methods, anyone trying to make Xu Xiaoshou a disciple through persuasion...

No way!

Not even the Eighth Jian Xian could do it!

If you want to take disciples, wait your turn—he had a line!

"Precisely because I know you're one of the Seven Jian Xian, that's why I don't want to be your disciple," Xu Xiaoshou said with a smile, his words brimming with confidence. "My Jian Dao, I can walk it myself!"

Clang—

The only sword in the hall was Xiao Wanfeng's wooden sword.

Yet, at that moment, the wooden sword let out a clear sword cry, carrying the young man's momentum and his unwavering faith in the Jian Dao.

The sound of metal echoed through the room, and a chill filled the air.

Xiao Wanfeng looked up in shock, his eyes wide as he watched the playboy Xu Shao transform into a youthful Jian Zong, overlooking the Jian Xian path!

Mei Siren was even more stunned, his mouth agape.

He stared blankly at the young man, who to outsiders might seem "arrogantly self-assured," and in a daze, it was as if he saw a familiar scene from decades ago.

That year, in the cold wind and heavy snow,

he encountered two young Jian travelers wandering the world. They had exceptional talent, so he, excited by the hunt, wanted to take them as disciples and guide them as he always did.

But for the first and second time in his life, he was rejected.

Those two young men were just as composed and unyielding. Even though one had instantly recognized his identity, their answers were identical to this young man's.

"My Jian Dao, I can walk it myself!"

Back then, Mei Siren had found it amusing, a pity, but hadn't taken it to heart.

Years later, he suddenly realized that those who had accepted his guidance had indeed taken the shortcut of the Jian Dao.

But the end of that path was already set—they could never surpass him.

However, those two who refused him achieved fame across the world in just a few years.

Mei Siren only learned later that the two who had the courage to reject the established Jian Dao and forge ahead on their own...

One was called Wen Ting.

The other was Eight Zun An!