"Xu Xian? That's Xu Xian?"
"The same Xu Xian who broke the Ancestor's endgame?"
"The kid with the sword spirit root..."
"When did he wake up?"
"I thought he looked familiar..."
"Wait, didn't he enter a state of enlightenment for four years? Why does he look exactly the same?"
As the youth's voice fell, a wave of whispers and hushed arguments broke out among the rows of people in the hall.
Four years ago.
The endgame had been solved, and the sword stele had reacted, sending an ancient sword intent soaring into the clouds. At that time, everyone on the mountain had been jolted awake by the disturbance. Even the five residing within the Ancestral Peak had been stirred.
It was because those five had awakened that a single sword strike had descended, sealing off the entire Wendao Square.
Therefore, regarding Xu Xian, they had only heard rumors; they hadn't been able to spy on a single detail.
The rumors said he had broken the endgame by smashing the chessboard.
When they first heard it, they simply couldn't believe it. Could there really be such a reckless child in this world?
Now that they saw him, they still didn't believe it.
Looking at the boy's appearance, speech, and behavior, he didn't seem like some hot-headed brat.
Their scrutiny intensified, their gazes burning so fiercely that some of the old-timers looked like they wanted to pluck out their eyes and plant them directly onto Xu Xian's body.
Xu Xian sighed inwardly. Sometimes, being too exceptional was its own kind of burden.
Before the crowd could fully process everything, Ye Xianyu spoke again. "Xu Xian, come up here."
Without overthinking, Xu Xian stepped onto the long staircase and reached the top in three strides. By now, even a fool could guess what Ye Xianyu intended to do.
And Xu Xian was no fool.
He didn't resist; in fact, he felt a flicker of anticipation.
Ye Xianyu rose from her seat and walked over to him. She gave him a gentle smile, stood with her hands behind her back, and looked down at the hall, getting straight to the point.
"Years ago, when the Sword Ancestor erected the sword stele and left the endgame, he said that the endgame was there for anyone in the world to break, and the sword stele held opportunities for all descendants to take."
"His Excellency also said that if a descendant of our Wendao Sword Sect could break the endgame and comprehend the sword stele, they would inherit his mantle and wield the sword to protect the people of this world."
"Xu Xian, who possesses a sword spirit root, passed the three initial trials four years ago before breaking the endgame and comprehending the sword stele."
"According to the rules, he should naturally become a disciple under my master."
"However, Master is currently traveling abroad. He is like a divine dragon, seen only by his head and never his tail, leaving us without word for a long time. Naturally, he cannot personally accept a disciple."
She paused briefly, her voice growing more solemn as she continued.
"I have gathered you all here today to witness this. In the name of my master, I shall accept a disciple on his behalf."
As her voice fell, a profound silence filled the area. It seemed as though this was only right and natural—and indeed, it was.
As for the proxy discipleship, the elders felt no resistance. Whether they were used to such things or simply feared her authority was unknown.
They merely fixed their gazes upon the high platform, alternating between the youth and Ye Xianyu.
Ye Xianyu withdrew her gaze and looked at Xu Xian, asking in a deep voice, "Xu Xian."
"I'm here."
"I ask you: are you willing to enter the lineage of the Sword Ancestor?"
Without a second thought, Xu Xian immediately agreed. "I am willing."
Li Qingshan frowned, feeling slightly surprised.
Ye Xianyu also froze for a moment, finding it a bit novel.
It was simply because Xu Xian had agreed far too readily.
As for the others, they remained as calm as ever. In anyone's eyes, being able to join the Sword Ancestor's lineage was a supreme honor—a blessing one couldn't earn in several lifetimes.
Only a fool would refuse.
Who was the Sword Ancestor?
Before he was born, the world knew not where the ultimate peak of the sword lay.
After he appeared, he became that ultimate peak in the eyes of the world.
Some even said: 'If the heavens had not birthed Li Taibai, the path of the sword would be an eternal night.'
Every swordsman in the world worshipped him, looked up to him, and chased after him, wishing to become like him.
But Li Qingshan and Ye Xianyu were different; they understood Xu Xian better than anyone else here and had more contact with him.
Xu Xian wasn't the type of person to just grab any benefit he saw.
How should they put it? He was strange, and his thoughts were even stranger.
For instance, if someone else met an immortal offering longevity, they would beg for it. But he was different; he actually hadn't wanted to cultivate. Or consider the situation before everyone else arrived...
In short, Xu Xian was a bit 'off' in the head.
His quick agreement actually made the two of them a bit confused.
Ye Xianyu asked with a hint of mischief, "Don't you want to think it over?"
Typical Pavilion Elders were baffled, finding the question nonsensical.
Xu Xian replied decisively, "There is no need. To reject what Heaven grants is to invite calamity. I am willing."
Ye Xianyu was stunned.
Li Qingshan was taken aback.
Did ivory actually just grow out of a dog's mouth?
As for the Pavilion Elders, their eyes were filled with undisguised admiration. To understand such a principle at such a young age was rare indeed.
Ye Xianyu felt that Xu Xian was just posturing, exactly like her own disciple. Yet, he had managed to pull it off, so she didn't bother dwelling on it.
"Fine, then it's settled."
"Good."
"Come, give us a kowtow."
"Huh?"
Ye Xianyu turned around and pointed at the single stone chair and the ancient sword behind the steps. "Master isn't here, so you shall kowtow three times to Master's old sword. That will serve as the apprenticeship ceremony."
Xu Xian stared at the ancient sword, his throat tightening.
Although it was said that a man has gold beneath his knees and should only kneel to Heaven, the Emperor, his parents, and his ancestors...
'A teacher for a day is a father for life.' Kneeling to a master was only right.
He immediately knelt.
"Master above, please accept three bows from your disciple."
Thud! Thud! Thud!
He knocked his head against the floor three times in succession.
Looking up at Ye Xianyu, he asked, "Is that enough? If not, I can do two more."
Ye Xianyu smiled. "You may rise."
Xu Xian hurriedly stood up.
Ye Xianyu strolled back to her seat and sat down gracefully. She patted the stone chair beside her and said, "You sit here."
Xu Xian looked back at the crowd of elders in the hall, feeling a bit hesitant.
But only a bit.
He walked over with large strides and sat down nervously. His entire body remained tense. From this angle, he had an unobstructed view of the entire hall. The feeling was inexplicably refreshing—it was truly enlightening.
Ye Xianyu said, "In our Master's lineage, you are ranked eleventh."
Xu Xian held himself straight, deliberately acting steady. "Understood."
Ye Xianyu's gaze fell upon the people in the hall as she said authoritatively, "Everyone, let us begin."
The group of Pavilion Elders rose from their chairs one by one. Facing Xu Xian, they bowed deeply with the utmost respect, their hands clasped.
"We greet the Little Martial Uncle!!"
"We greet the Little Martial Grand-Uncle!!"
Only Li Qingshan was extremely reluctant. His lips moved, but no sound came out. His head lowered, but his waist didn't bend...
Seeing this scene, Xu Xian's entire body trembled. His eyes shone brightly, and the blood in his veins seemed to boil. At this moment, he felt he had reached the pinnacle of his life. Power, the world, and beauties—all seemed to be within his grasp.
A group of eighth-stage great ascension patriarchs were actually bowing to him in unison, calling him 'Martial Uncle' and 'Martial Grand-Uncle.'
He wondered.
How many people in this world could experience this?
He thought he probably hadn't embarrassed the community of transmigrators.
Refreshed.
This felt way too good.
He started to think that cultivation wasn't so bad after all. For a moment, he lost himself in the feeling, grinning like an idiot.
Seeing him like this, Ye Xianyu couldn't help but chuckle and shake her head. She motioned with her eyes and whispered a reminder, "What are you grinning for? Hurry up and tell them they can rise..."
Xu Xian snapped back to his senses. He pulled back his smile, adjusted his expression, and cleared his throat. Looking down upon the world, he declared:
"You may rise, my dear subjects..."
Ye Xianyu: "..." Huh?
Li Qingshan: "..." What??
The Pavilion Elders: "..." Excuse me???
Countless gazes swept toward him, their expressions inscrutable and filled with an unspeakable complexity.
Xu Xian covered his face, dying of embarrassment.
In his heart, he wailed, 'How humiliating!'
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