Chapter 670: Mr. Si Ren Was Rejected Again

"Startled, passive value: 1."

Xu Xiaoshou stared blankly at the disheveled young man. Despite his tattered appearance, he was surprisingly eloquent. He was clearly a nobody, armed with nothing but a wooden sword, yet as he spoke about Jian Dao, he seemed to radiate a divine aura.

He stood in the dimly lit lower section of Tian Shang First Tower. The backlight from the door obscured his face, showing only a vague outline of half his features. But his words were profoundly moving!

"Dong."

The ancient wooden clock in the hall chimed softly in the silence.

As the sound faded, the young man's defiant figure seemed to stand a little taller.

"Gulp."

Xu Xiaoshou swallowed hard. In those brief moments, he hadn't even noticed several "Startled" notifications appearing in his interface. Yes, he was truly frightened, and quite badly.

"Sealing the sword until old age, and in old age, achieving sainthood?"

Xu Xiaoshou had an excellent memory. He vaguely recalled the first half of that phrase being mentioned in Bai Ku, spoken by Qi Jian Xian Gou Wuyue. Even then, Gou Wuyue hadn't sounded as confident as Xiao Wanfeng. He had merely speculated, using a tone of feigned certainty to try and bluff out Ba Zun An's secrets in that situation.

And now, this young man before him had probably never even seen what Ba Zun An looked like! Yet he said it anyway, and with such conviction! More importantly, what he said was a confirmed fact, verified by the blood of seven hundred white-robed figures beside Gou Wuyue and acknowledged by Ba Zun An himself.

"This is a genius," Xu Xiaoshou exclaimed inwardly.

Just moments ago, he hadn't thought much of the young man, his attention fully captured by Qi Jian Xian Mei Siyi. But now, he was certain that despite the youth's current hardships, his unique insights into Jian Dao meant that, as long as he avoided disaster, he would become someone of great importance.

Based on legends, rumors, and the unassuming traces of battle left in Bai Ku... a mere mortal, not even a Lian Ling Shi, had deduced a conclusion that the entire Sheng Shen Dian Tang wouldn't dare to assert lightly. And crucially, Xu Xiaoshou knew for a fact that it was correct!

Recalling the dry branch that had furiously cut down the white-robed figures in Ba Zun An's hand, Xu Xiaoshou couldn't help but ask, "Cang Jian Shu—when hiding the sword, can other objects be used to draw it instead?"

His words shattered the intense, uncertain pressure that Mei Siyi was exerting on Xiao Wanfeng with his grave expression.

The young man turned back and shook his head solemnly.

"No."

"No?" Xu Xiaoshou was astonished; the answer was nothing like what he had expected.

"Yes." Xiao Wanfeng was utterly certain. "Cang Jian Shu is called that because it conceals all the sharpness of its wielder toward Jian Dao, evading the scrutiny of the Great Dao on sword bearers, achieving a state of complete return to simplicity. It waits only for the day when the sword is drawn, instantly... in the ideal state, achieving sainthood on the spot."

"Of course, before that, if the one hiding the sword draws it in any way, it's like a monk breaking his vows—all previous efforts are wasted."

Xu Xiaoshou fell silent upon hearing this.

After a moment of thought, he recalled Xiao Wanfeng's earlier words and asked, "Are these conclusions you came to after figuring out Cang Jian Shu, or are they from your predecessors?"

Xiao Wanfeng was taken aback. The question was sharp, and he didn't respond right away.

"This is naturally from predecessors..."

He started instinctively, but halfway through, Xiao Wanfeng's face flushed red.

Indeed! He had just boldly claimed to stand on the shoulders of predecessors without resting on their laurels. Yet here he was, boxed in by their conclusions, stating that one absolutely couldn't draw the sword while hiding it.

But was that truly the case?

Yes! Based on over a decade of pursuing Jian Dao, Xiao Wanfeng knew that no one could evade heavenly scrutiny and draw a sword in another way while hiding it. But he was someone who disliked being bound by rules and always felt that nothing in the world was absolute. The ancient texts might not record it, but that didn't mean such extraordinary individuals didn't exist in the world.

"I'm still cultivating Cang Jian Shu and haven't fully figured it out, so I can't give a definitive conclusion." Xiao Wanfeng composed himself, cupped his fists toward Xu Xiaoshou, and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Young Master Xu. What you've said will be my next next next research direction for Cang Jian Shu."

Xu Xiaoshou: "..."

So, you're already working on that many projects?

"Is there anything in this world like a half-Cang Jian Shu, or methods to attack while hiding the sword using something like sword fingers, leaves, or dry branches?" Xu Xiaoshou asked again.

Xiao Wanfeng was stumped once more. This was beyond his knowledge, and he couldn't answer.

"Yes!"

Mei Siyi finally chimed in from the side, joining the Jian Dao discussion. Unconsciously, he had come to treat the three of them as equals in this sword discourse gathering.

Though there was no tea, every word from the other two participants sparked a small insight for him.

Though the insights were minor... at the level of Qi Jian Xian, Mei Siyi was essentially an encyclopedia of Jian Dao. So even the smallest spark was like adding a detail to the truths of Jian Dao. Such additions could accidentally give rise to a great path!

How could Mei Siyi not treat this with the utmost seriousness?

"For Cang Jian Shu and those who hide their swords, it's as Young Friend Xiao said—there are indeed situations where one can act. As far as this old one knows, there are two methods."

Mei Siyi's voice was grave, and he lightly tapped his folded fan before continuing:

"First, if one reaches half-saint cultivation, using Lian Ling power to block heavenly scrutiny, then acting as a sword hider, you can achieve the purpose of drawing the sword..."

"But this method is meaningless. The highest aim of hiding the sword is to attain sainthood. If you're already a saint, using this approach is like abandoning the root for the branches."

"As for the second..."

Mei Siyi looked at Xu Xiaoshou: "Strictly speaking, the Jian Dao of this world is based on Jian Shen Gu Lou Ying's Jian Dao and the Jiu Jian Shu."

"On this foundation, if a sword hider masters the nine great sword techniques and fuses them to derive their own unique Jian Dao, it's like stepping outside the five elements, beyond the three realms."

"The madman of the Great Dao can toy with the Dao itself!"

Mei Siyi glanced at Xu Xiaoshou with deep meaning.

His words were clear, and Xiao Wanfeng immediately caught on. "The eighth Jian Xian?"

"Yes." Mei Siyi's gaze burned intensely as he stared at the questioning Xu Xiaoshou: "In the current world, the only one who's truly reached this realm is Ba Zun An, with his epoch-making sword intent... Young friend, have you seen Ba Zun An?"

Xu Xiaoshou's heart skipped a beat.

He hadn't expected that despite his vague wording, these two had quickly stripped away the packaging and hit the essence.

Were smart people all this terrifying?

"I've seen the eighth Jian Xian? Well, I wish I had..." Xu Xiaoshou chuckled, pointing at Xiao Wanfeng. "To be honest with you, senior, just like him, I've been to Bai Ku and have my own insights."

Mei Siyi smiled subtly, not commenting, and just tapped his fan lightly. "I don't know what you're asking about, Young Friend Xiao, but if your hypothesis turns out true, then indeed, in this world, the only sword hider who can draw his sword is Ba Zun An!"

Mei Siyi turned to Xiao Wanfeng: "Young friend, what's your name?"

Xiao Wanfeng suddenly felt awkward, his face turning red. "This junior is Xiao Wanfeng. I've seen you, Mister Siyi!"

Mei Siyi stepped forward with a kind expression and asked, "Would you be willing to become this old one's disciple?"

Xin Gugu, watching from the side, was stunned. Was this really one of the Qi Jian Xian? Why was he going around trying to take disciples?

He was still trying to make sense of their cloudy conversation. Just moments ago, Mei Siyi had looked so grim, as if he were about to kill the boastful Xiao Wanfeng. How had it turned to taking him as a disciple so quickly?

"I..."

To everyone's surprise, faced with this sudden opportunity, Xiao Wanfeng didn't kneel and accept. Instead, he hesitated, his face full of embarrassment: "Senior, I... I..."

"You don't want to?"

Mei Siyi was also startled. What was going on today? He was used to people eagerly accepting his offers, but now he'd been rejected twice.

"Yes!" Xiao Wanfeng struggled for a long time before gritting his teeth and saying, "This junior does have many questions about Jian Dao that I want answered, but as for becoming your disciple... to be honest, senior, what Young Master Xu said is also what I think. I want to walk my own path in Jian Dao!"

Taking a master meant learning the master's Jian Dao. But for Xiao Wanfeng, he had already forged his own way through over a decade of trials. It was great if questions could be resolved, but giving up his chosen path to follow Qi Jian Xian's way—perhaps one day he could become the next Mei Siyi or even surpass him. But as long as Mei Siyi hadn't attained sainthood, Xiao Wanfeng would never break through that road to go beyond him.

For Xiao Wanfeng, the eighth Jian Xian was his idol. What he wanted was to emulate the eighth Jian Xian, standing on the shoulders of predecessors to forge his own Jian Dao.

In other words... he had ambitions! He refused to settle for mediocrity!

Today, it wasn't just Mei Siyi—even if Ba Zun An himself were offering, Xiao Wanfeng would refuse. Sword intent might be tempting, but what if even the eighth Jian Xian couldn't take that final step?

In this world, the only one who had truly become a god through Jian Dao was Dong Yu Jian Shen Tian's legendary Jian Shen, Gu Lou Ying!

Perhaps at this humble moment, Xiao Wanfeng didn't dare voice his true reason for refusing, but he was acutely aware... every Jian Dao cultivator dreamed of becoming a god with their own sword, yet few could hold true to their heart without being swayed.

The eighth Jian Xian was one of them. Others... well, there really weren't any.

"But I, Xiao Wanfeng, want to be the second!"

Mei Siyi's offer of discipleship, in that instant, became the wind that solidified the direction of Xiao Wanfeng's solitary boat in his heart.

His inner voice roared.

Though he didn't say it aloud, his bright eyes met Mei Siyi's probing gaze without a hint of fear, even in refusal.

"Ha ha ha..." Mei Siyi suddenly threw his head back and laughed.

He was genuinely amused. Today, he'd tried to take disciples twice and been rejected twice, yet the long-forgotten joy in his heart felt wonderful.

For him, taking disciples had unknowingly become a way to test a Jian Dao cultivator's true heart.

The opportunities from Qi Jian Xian were indeed real for every swordsman. But for those with a clear ultimate direction, it was a roadblock, a stumbling stone!

Those who couldn't refuse him hadn't chosen wrong. They knew their limits and opted for a widely accepted shortcut to the peak—what was wrong with that?

But for true, unwavering swordsmen, a roadblock was still a roadblock, a stumbling stone was still a stumbling stone.

A Jian Xian was, after all, just a Jian Xian. Not a Jian Sheng, let alone a Jian Shen!

Those who refused him might be seen as ungrateful, aiming too high, and indeed, ninety-nine point nine nine percent of them would fail midway. But as long as even one succeeded... their future achievements would surely surpass those of the Qi Jian Xian!

"Xiao Wanfeng..."

Mei Siyi murmured, patting the young man's shoulder. "This old one respects your choice. I'll be staying here for a while. If you have any Jian Dao questions, feel free to ask me anytime."

With that, he turned and walked away.

"Thank you, senior!" Xiao Wanfeng was overjoyed, bowing deeply in gratitude, his hand gripping the wooden sword so tightly that the veins bulged with excitement.

Fortunately, he had no Ling Yuan, or in that moment of emotion, the wooden sword might have shattered.

"Good fellow..." Xu Xiaoshou looked at the young man with even higher regard.

He had refused Mei Siyi because he had "Sword Technique Mastery." But Xiao Wanfeng was purely resisting temptation with his own willpower.

How many Jian Dao cultivators in the world could refuse when Mister Siyi said, "Would you be willing to become this old one's disciple?"

"Congratulations. All roads lead to Rome, but you've chosen the hardest one. You might have to put in a hundred years more effort, and it could all fall apart at the end, with your Jian Dao completely collapsing." Xu Xiaoshou clicked his tongue and congratulated Xiao Wanfeng.

"Young Master Xu is the same, isn't he?" Xiao Wanfeng smiled. In that moment, his Dao heart was firm, his spine straight, and he felt the future stretching out infinitely bright.

Refusal equaled rebirth... suddenly, they seemed one and the same.

After all, if I'd refused even a Qi Jian Xian, what in the heavens could shake my Dao heart?

"We're not the same..." Xu Xiaoshou chuckled, not elaborating, and turned to find Xin Gugu to arrange a room for the disheartened Mei Siyi.

But when he looked back, Xin Gugu had already scampered over to the elder.

"Senior, senior, as they say, enemies can become friends. Though I wasn't very respectful to you outside just now, and though I haven't really fought with a sword yet..."

Xin Gugu grabbed Mei Siyi's robe and bowed deeply, tears in his eyes: "Those two don't know what's good for them and refused you, but I'm different! I want to learn the sword—please take me as your..."

"Slap!"

Mei Siyi swung his fan, leaving a red mark on Xin Gugu's left cheek and cutting off his words.

"Shut up."

"Uh, senior, I'm not joking. You got rejected, but that's okay—just look at me. Don't think I'm old just because I'm at the Wang Zuo level; it's because I'm a genius. I'm not much older than Young Master Xu. It's not too late for me to learn the sword now..."

Another slap, and Xin Gugu's right cheek turned red.

He was about to cry: "This isn't fair! Why can those two be considered, but not me? I don't accept this—I'm capable too. I can kick Xu..."

"Received sarcasm, passive value: 1."

"Bang!"

A heavy sound echoed in the hall.

Xiao Wanfeng's eyelashes trembled, and his body shuddered as he watched Xin Gugu, whose head was nearly knocked off. An inexplicable chill ran through him.

"How... how is this possible? Isn't he a Wang Zuo?"

"And he just flew like that?"