Chapter 669: The Elegance of the Young Swordsman

"Young friend, what is your name?"

Mei Siyi's gaze turned serious. He had encountered many talented young people, but few possessed such an ambitious spirit.

Even if the young man before him could be seen as somewhat arrogant,

What if?

What if he succeeded!

Last time, he had casually dismissed someone and missed out on one of the future Seven Sword Immortals, not to mention the even more renowned Eighth Sword Immortal.

This time, he felt it necessary to ask sincerely about the young man's true name.

Xu Xiaoshou watched as the old man suddenly became solemn, and his own expression grew slightly tense.

He dared not hide the truth, so he cupped his fists in a bow and replied earnestly, "To be honest with you, senior, Xu De Ye is just a pseudonym I made up. My real name is... Xu Fu Ji!"

Xin Gugu had been about to stomp down again to silence the loudly protesting Xiao Wanfeng, but upon hearing this, he stumbled and lost his balance.

He looked at the old man and the young man exchanging polite and serious gestures, and his mind began to feel a bit dazed.

If he hadn't known Xu Xiaoshou beforehand, in this scene of mutual bowing, he might have believed that Xu Xiaoshou was truly named "Xu Fu Ji"!

Of course not...

How did this guy manage to say such an absurd answer with such a calm and serious tone?

And so convincingly!

The atmosphere was built up to this point— no one would doubt Young Master Xu.

Yet here he was, still pretending... Xin Gugu realized that with just this one statement, it meant the old man ultimately couldn't gain Xu Xiaoshou's trust.

He hadn't touched the real core, even though he was one of the Seven Sword Immortals, Mei Siyi.

"Xu Fu Ji..."

Xiao Wanfeng murmured the name quietly to himself. He committed it to memory.

Unlike the Xu De Ye that outsiders knew, at least now, he, Xiao Wanfeng, had not only entered the Tian Shang Di Yi Lou but also obtained Young Master Xu's true name.

We are one of our own now!

"Fu Ji, my young friend..."

Mei Siyi savored the name, comparing it to others. This name didn't carry the same sword-like aura as "Wen Ting" or "Ba Zun An."

But perhaps one day, when the world's order changes, the name "Xu Fu Ji" might also become widely known?

"Sir, you're overpraising me. Just call me Little Xu!"

Xu Xiaoshou had said it casually at first, but he never expected the old man to actually use that name for him, so he quickly responded.

"No need. Xu Fu Ji, remember your words today. This old man has high hopes for you. One day, you will surely make a name for yourself in the way of the sword... Perhaps you will be the next of the Seven Sword Immortals."

Mei Siyi no longer treated him as a junior; his words carried a newfound respect.

Xu Xiaoshou: "..."

He hadn't expected the other to change his attitude so suddenly, but what could he say?

If one day he really became famous and joined the Seven Sword Immortals with the name "Xu Fu Ji"...

Then all the Seven Sword Immortals with that name would probably have to change theirs.

Like "Zhou Tian Can," "Xiao Shi Tan Ji," "Wen Ming"... Either there would be fourteen Seven Sword Immortals,

Or there would be only one left— him, Xu Xiaoshou!

"Thank you for your kind words, sir, but I'm not planning to become anyone's disciple right now, so I have to decline."

Xu Xiaoshou looked up again, hesitating as he asked, "I don't know, Mr. Siyi..."

"This old man isn't leaving."

Mei Siyi could hear the implied meaning in the young man's words.

If he didn't want to take him as a master, the young man probably felt awkward keeping a Seven Sword Immortal in the Tian Shang Di Yi Lou.

But he had no intention of letting this go so easily. The young man had many mysteries, and even if he couldn't take him as a disciple, figuring out his physique would be key to advancing his own sword path.

Wasn't his journey around the world for this very reason?

Xu Xiaoshou hadn't expected the old man to insist on staying, but he couldn't refuse outright.

Still, staying was one thing, but tasks like serving tea and water— he certainly wouldn't make a Seven Sword Immortal do them.

"So, I'll arrange a room for you, old sir. You can stay as long as you like. How about that?"

Xu Xiaoshou smiled politely. "If you stay with us, even if you don't do anything, it's a form of deterrence. Of course, we won't spread the word and will ensure your life remains peaceful."

Mei Siyi detected the renewed distance in those words but didn't mind. He simply nodded. "That works fine."

Xu Xiaoshou didn't dwell further on topics like "taking a disciple" or "physique." He turned to Xin Gugu.

"Little Xin, let him go."

He was referring, of course, to Xiao Wanfeng.

If Mei Siyi hadn't shown up suddenly, theoretically, the job of serving tea and water today should have fallen to this young man.

It was all because of that phrase "Sheng Mi Zhi Di"— this guy knew about the Void Island!

"Oh, right."

Glancing back at Xiao Wanfeng, Xu Xiaoshou remembered something and said mysteriously, "Old sir, although I can't be your disciple, I can recommend someone to you. This person claims to have dabbled in all nine major sword techniques and is a huge fan of the Eighth Sword Immortal... Well, I mean, a devoted admirer. It sounds pretty impressive..."

"Oh?"

Mei Siyi's eyebrows twitched, amused as he looked at the young man who had just climbed up from under Xin Gugu's foot. "Him?"

"Yes."

Xu Xiaoshou nodded.

He observed the old man closely and saw no aversion to the Eighth Sword Immortal, which put his mind at ease. He continued, "It's him— the one who's studied the path of ancient sword cultivation on his own. In all the time I've been in this world, he's the only one with such great determination!"

"I..."

Xiao Wanfeng was stunned, his face flushing red.

He never imagined that after such a brief encounter, Young Master Xu would speak so highly for him.

All those recommendations were full of praise.

Could it be that earlier, when Xu didn't want to become Mr. Siyi's disciple, it was to leave the opportunity for him?

But why?

Why was he being so kind to him... Was there some ulterior motive?

"I'm not as good as Young Master Xu says..."

Xiao Wanfeng gripped his wooden sword tightly, struggling for a long time before managing to say that.

Mei Siyi stared thoughtfully at his wooden sword and, after a moment, asked, "Are you practicing Zang Jian Shu?"

"Yes!"

Xiao Wanfeng's eyes lit up, and he nodded vigorously. "Sir, your insight is sharp. I'm indeed practicing Zang Jian Shu right now."

Mei Siyi was surprised.

He had noticed this young man, but compared to Xu Fu Ji, he seemed quite ordinary.

With a mortal body and just a wooden sword...

From head to toe, if you didn't look closely, you wouldn't see any trace of a swordsman— not even a hint of sword path essence.

A stubborn swordsman... That was Mei Siyi's only summary.

But since Xu Fu Ji recommended him, he hesitated briefly before asking, "You really have dabbled in all nine major sword techniques?"

"I know just a little about each," Xiao Wanfeng said humbly, lowering his head. "In front of you, sir, I wouldn't dare call it dabbled."

Mei Siyi smiled. "If you have, then you have; if not, then not. Since you've really touched on them all, tell me— why did you choose to focus on Zang Jian Shu?"

"Sir, you're too kind. I haven't focused on Zang Jian Shu. I've just finished pondering the other sword techniques and am now starting on Zang Jian Shu."

Xiao Wanfeng straightened his clothes.

Speaking to a Seven Sword Immortal, he felt he couldn't afford to be rude even in his appearance.

Mei Siyi was amused by his words.

"Finished pondering the other sword techniques..."

He murmured to himself, not taking it to heart, though a hint of disappointment showed in his eyes. He asked softly, "Sword techniques are so profound that even this old man wouldn't claim to have finished pondering them. You're so young, yet you dare say you've finished with the others and are now on Zang Jian Shu?"

Xu Xiaoshou and Xin Gugu quietly huddled together, both wearing expressions like they were watching a show.

Even as outsiders, they felt Xiao Wanfeng's words were a bit bold in front of one of the Seven Sword Immortals.

But the young man was so respectful, yet his speech held no politeness at all.

"I disagree, sir. Looking back at the history of sword path development, the nine major sword techniques, the eighteen sword styles, the three thousand sword paths... All of it came from nothing because of individuals."

"Whether it's the Sword God Gu Lou Ying, who pioneered the path of ancient sword cultivation, or the Eighth Sword Immortal Ba Zun An, who mastered sword intent... Strictly speaking, these are just their own sword paths."

"And since they're just one person's sword path, they must have an end."

"The end of the road is inevitable... Blazing new trails from the giants' shoulders is different from just sitting on those shoulders and consuming their legacy. The outcomes are completely different."

"So, when I say I've finished pondering, I mean I've truly finished. Now, I want to try something new, so I've chosen to study other sword techniques."

If his journey so far on the path of ancient sword cultivation had been based on half-baked knowledge and guesswork,

Then now, what lay before Xiao Wanfeng was like a textbook answer.

But instead of flipping through it page by page for the answer, he turned and asked the question he most wanted to know.

This was an opportunity!

Anyone else, even if not a swordsman, would know that standing before them was a once-in-a-lifetime chance.

Most people might choose to bow down immediately.

But Xiao Wanfeng...

He believed that since he hadn't found answers along the way, he himself was the answer.

Now, he just wanted to submit what he thought was the correct answer to the real "standard answer" for verification.

To see if they matched.

Even Xin Gugu, who didn't understand the sword path, was impressed by Xiao Wanfeng's demeanor at that moment.

Xu Xiaoshou was equally surprised.

He knew that anyone who could study the path of ancient sword cultivation alone was no ordinary person.

Most of them would either fade into obscurity,

Or, once they took off, they would soar like true dragons in the sky!

But hearing such unique insights on the sword path from a boy younger than himself was truly astonishing.

The two turned together, looking toward Mei Siyi.

Not just the spectators— even Xiao Wanfeng was waiting to hear what one of the Seven Sword Immortals thought of his words.

The room fell quiet for a moment.

The air was still, with only Mei Siyi's face shifting between expressions, impossible to read.

"You're talking nonsense!!!"

Suddenly, the old man roared, his voice like thunder, making the hall tremble and the wooden sword hum.

Thump, thump, thump.

Xiao Wanfeng was forced back several steps by the outburst, finally collapsing to the ground under the pressure.

"Sir..." He looked up, his eyes full of embarrassment and confusion.

Mei Siyi breathed heavily, clearly furious.

He narrowed his eyes, a cold glint in them, and said darkly, "Do you even know what you just said?"

"I... I know."

Xiao Wanfeng lowered his head. He was like the most humble person in the world, unable to lift his head in the face of power, yet still holding onto a spark of inner defiance.

"I know."

He shouted it out, gritting his teeth.

He knew his words were a great disrespect to the sword path!

But his heart believed it— the sword path should press forward relentlessly.

If he cowered just because a Seven Sword Immortal stood before him, how would that differ from those who couldn't even pick up a sword?

Mei Siyi rolled his eyes and snorted, "Kid, this old man will reluctantly treat you like the brash Eighth Sword Immortal in his youth. Only from that perspective might you have the right to speak!"

"Since you've said as much, this old man will ask you..."

He paused, then said gravely, "What have you figured out from the nine major sword techniques? And what have you achieved with Zang Jian Shu? Since you've dabbled in all of them... Tell me, which sword technique is the strongest!"

Even Xu Xiaoshou felt this question was unanswerable.

Xin Gugu, off to the side, felt an inexplicable pressure, let alone Xiao Wanfeng, who was in the thick of it.

Xiao Wanfeng was sweating profusely. He knew there was a textbook answer he could give to calm Mei Siyi's anger.

But when the words reached his lips, everything changed.

"Zang Jian Shu!"

"Zang Jian Shu... is the strongest!" Xiao Wanfeng's eyes shone, and he held his head high.

Oh no... Xu Xiaoshou slapped his forehead.

Among the nine major sword techniques, Huan Jian Shu was universally acknowledged as supreme, requiring deep mastery of spatial principles even to begin.

This technique had shone brilliantly in the hands of the Eighth Sword Immortal back in the day, truly achieving "turning illusion into reality, to the point of death," even reaching the theoretical peak of Huan Jian Shu— the "Second World."

But today... Zang Jian Shu?

This answer was so obscure that if Xiao Wanfeng hadn't suddenly appeared at the Tian Shang Di Yi Lou, Xu Xiaoshou might not have even remembered what Zang Jian Shu was.

And if it wasn't even widely known, how could Zang Jian Shu be the strongest?

"Hah!"

Mei Siyi trembled with anger. "Where did you pick up such twisted nonsense?"

"This isn't twisted nonsense— it's the result of my studies on the nine major sword techniques. Zang Jian Shu is the strongest!" Xiao Wanfeng insisted stubbornly.

Xu Xiaoshou thought to himself, Please just stop talking. He was genuinely worried about the young man.

What if the Seven Sword Immortal lost his temper and things turned bloody, with the fallout affecting him and Xin Gugu? What then?

But before Mei Siyi could speak, Xiao Wanfeng raised his wooden sword and said solemnly, "I'm the best proof of that... And if you don't believe me, you can look at others, like the Eighth Sword Immortal!"

The Eighth Sword Immortal?

The other three were all startled. How did this involve the Eighth Sword Immortal now?

Xiao Wanfeng continued, "I went to the Bai Ku and found traces of the Eighth Sword Immortal's battles there, which only confirmed what I've always thought."

"Zang Jian Shu is the strongest... It's precisely because he cultivated this technique that the Eighth Sword Immortal had the legend of 'three breaths of innate ability and three years to Sword Immortality.'"

"And if my guess is right, even now, under Hua Jian Xian's Gui Jian, with the sword path in decline, the Eighth Sword Immortal can only return to his peak by relying on this technique!"

He stared intently, one of the few in the world who refused to believe the Eighth Sword Immortal had fallen decades ago.

But unlike others with no basis, Xiao Wanfeng had found his opportunity here. After a moment of thought, he presented the evidence from his sword path studies and shouted aloud:

"Seal the sword until old age, and the old self becomes saint!"