Chapter 36: The Old Man Wants a Disciple? Refused!

“Presumptuous! Hai Bonan, you’re merely a Deacon! Who gave you the nerve to question me, an Elder!”

Liang Ting, the gray-robed Elder and master of the True Martial Saint, said angrily.

“Alright, alright! Elder Liang Ting just came to look around, it’s no big deal!”

Another Elder among the three, clad in yellow robes and slightly shorter in stature, stepped in with a conciliatory smile.

Though Hai Bonan was only a Deacon, his cultivation level was the ninth layer of the Grotto-Heaven Realm, just one step away from the Divine Treasure Realm where one would be titled Marquis!

He might break through any day, and then he too could take a seat among the Elders. That’s why even the major Elders always gave Hai Bonan some face.

“Hmph!”

Seeing the yellow-robed Elder mediate, Liang Ting gave a cold snort but said nothing more.

Though both were Marquis-Level Experts in the Divine Treasure Realm, he had only recently broken through to the first layer.

Compared to these senior Elders, he fell far short in both strength and realm.

Even though his disciple was the current True Martial Saint of this generation, to these veteran Elders,

they might treat Liang Ting a little more politely because of it, but they would never be subservient.

After all, as genuine Marquis-Level Experts, these Elders possessed the dignity of the strong!

“So you are Qin Xuan? Deacon Hai told us you’ve already grasped Second-Layer Sword Intent while still in the Divine Martial Realm?”

Seeing the tension ease, a tall Elder standing beside the yellow-robed Elder, with sharp, eagle-like eyes, turned to Qin Xuan and asked.

Qin Xuan didn’t explain verbally. Instead, a sharp, piercing Sword Intent instantly radiated from him.

Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!

As the Sword Intent flared, the pillars within the Elder Hall seemed to vibrate under the unseen cuts of Sword Qi, emitting a low buzzing noise.

“The peak of Second-Layer Sword Intent! It’s actually the pinnacle of Second-Layer Sword Intent! No wonder Deacon Hai was so willing to advocate for you. You truly are a Peerless Prodigy!”

Feeling the Sword Intent bursting from Qin Xuan, all three Elders except Liang Ting had gleams in their eyes. They clapped their hands and praised him enthusiastically.

The peak of Second-Layer Sword Intent was a level not even they, Marquis-Level Experts in the Divine Treasure Realm, had reached!

Like that tall Elder, for instance, he was a swordsman.

But the level of his own Sword Intent could only be considered the late stage of the Second Layer; he was still some distance from the peak!

And yet, here he was, sensing a Sword Intent stage he hadn’t reached emanating from a disciple who had just entered the Holy Land! A mere newcomer!

At this moment, even Hai Bonan beside them felt a jolt of shock.

He had thought Qin Xuan’s Second-Layer Sword Intent was still only at the early or middle stage. He never imagined it was at the peak stage!

After the shock, pure elation spread across Hai Bonan’s face. This solidified the position of Holy Son!

However, in stark contrast to Hai Bonan’s expression, Elder Liang Ting’s face darkened, twisted as if he had just eaten something disgusting.

“The peak of Second-Layer Sword Intent! Impossible! This kid looks to be about our age! How could he possess such powerful Sword Intent?”

“I recall now! I know who he is! My master mentioned it recently – Deacon Hai found a prodigy in a remote kingdom! One who grasped Second-Layer Sword Intent while still a Divine Martial Realm Master!”

“They said he was going to bring that prodigy straight to the Holy Land and grant him the status of a Core Disciple!”

“Gasp! Really? Grasping Second-Layer Sword Intent as a Divine Martial Master? With talent like that, forget Core Disciple, he could even be a Holy Son… Mmmph! Why are you covering my mouth?”

“If I didn’t cover it, I was afraid Saint-brother would hang you from a tree and beat you senseless! Why are you so reckless with your words!”

The True Martial disciples who had followed outside the Elder Hall were equally stunned. Those in the Rotating Sea Realm, who had already sensed the beginnings of Intent comprehension, understood all too well just how difficult it was to advance.

At this moment, a sliver of awe towards Qin Xuan rose in their hearts.

It was like students struggling with a difficult problem suddenly seeing a genius solve it effortlessly.

Seeing the Elders’ faces, a faint smile appeared on Qin Xuan’s lips.

And this was only him revealing the peak of Second-Layer Sword Intent. These three Elders were already so impressed.

If he had directly revealed Third-Layer Sword Intent, wouldn’t these Elders have drawn sharp breaths and found it terrifying?!

“Excellent! Such exceptional talent in the Sword Dao! In my view, the status of a Core Disciple falls short for you!”

The tall, sword-cultivating Elder spoke again. As a fellow swordsman, he was extremely satisfied with Qin Xuan.

However, upon hearing this, the expression on Liang Ting’s face nearby turned even darker.

‘Core Disciple falls short?’ You might as well say outright that he should replace my disciple as the True Martial Saint!

“Ahem! Your talent is indeed worthy of the Core Disciple status,” the short, yellow-robed Elder who had mediated earlier coughed twice before continuing. “However… why can I not sense your cultivation level?”

The coughs were clearly a reminder to the tall Elder: Liang Ting was still here, so avoid stirring conflict.

“Are you using your Sword Intent to seal your inner energy?” asked the tall Elder, guessing the answer instantly before Qin Xuan could speak.

“That’s right!”

Qin Xuan nodded openly, confirming it.

“Very good! This shows your control over Sword Intent has reached a highly proficient level!”

“My name is Gu Xianghan. I’m a Marquis-Level Expert at the sixth layer of the Divine Treasure Realm, and also a swordsman,” the tall Elder added, visibly more pleased with Qin Xuan’s straightforward admission. “If you don’t mind, you can become my disciple!”

“Although I may have nothing more to teach you regarding Intent,” he continued generously, “in terms of resources or protection, I believe I can still offer you substantial help!”

Hearing this, the joy on Hai Bonan’s face intensified.

Elder Gu Xianghan ranked among the strongest within the entire body of Holy Land Elders!

If Qin Xuan became his disciple, there would be no need to fear the True Martial Saint secretly causing trouble or laying traps.

Qin Xuan could prepare for the Holy Son competition entirely without worry, ready to vie for the position!

Correspondingly, as Hai Bonan beamed, the storm clouds on Liang Ting’s face thickened dramatically.

If this Qin Xuan was really taken in by Gu Xianghan, things would become very difficult… very difficult indeed!

“My heavens! Elder Gu is actually offering to take a disciple! How rare!”

“Exactly! Elder Gu, being a swordsman, carries that inherent pride like no other, coupled with his profound realm… he rarely finds anyone worth his attention!”

“I remember his youngest disciple was still taken twenty years ago, right?”

“Yeah! The youngest one is already a Deacon now! All these years, we never thought he’d take another!”

“Well, it seems he’s finally ready! Looks like the old man waited long enough for one that truly satisfied him!”

Seeing Gu Xianghan, always so haughty, actually volunteer to take a disciple, the True Martial disciples were astonished.

However, the next scene they expected – Qin Xuan overwhelmed with gratitude, hurriedly shouting “I accept!” – did not happen.

Within the Elder Hall, a gentle breeze brushed through, lifting the hem of a certain figure’s pristine white robe.

Qin Xuan first glanced at the tall Gu Xianghan. Then, he reached back and gently tapped the hilt protruding from the scabbard on his back – the formidable Great Que Sword – as if calming something.

Immediately after, a clear, resonant voice answered:

“Refused!”