On the other side.
Ever since returning from Gu Chengming's small courtyard, Merit Elder Liu Enchuan's mood was visibly improved.
His usually stern face was now as thawed as spring ice. The passing attendant disciples exchanged glances, secretly spreading rumors: had the Merit Elder recently achieved a major breakthrough in cultivation, or perhaps stumbled upon some great opportunity?
In a sense, he had indeed found a treasure.
The first thing Liu Enchuan did upon returning to the Merit Hall was to pull up all of Gu Chengming's files.
Learning that the other party hadn't claimed resources for three years since joining the sect, he thought, "As expected."
If he was diligently cultivating sword intent without seeking resources, it made much more sense for him to still be at the First Realm, Third Level after so long in the sect.
In his excitement, Liu Enchuan had even entertained the thought of taking him as a disciple.
He had even mentally drafted the entire process for a disciple-acceptance ceremony, thinking about how to show off in front of the other elders.
But after calming down, this thought was extinguished.
Although he, Liu Enchuan, was the Merit Elder and possessed third realm cultivation, he knew his own limitations.
Most of his cultivation was accumulated through time and resources; while his swordsmanship was proficient, it was merely "proficient," having long lost its sharp, enterprising edge.
Teaching ordinary disciples would be fine, but facing a "rough jade" like Gu Chengming...
"Forget it."
Liu Enchuan sighed, shaking his head.
"If I were to forcibly take him as a disciple and teach him with my mediocre methods, I would only be misleading a promising talent and ruining a piece of fine jade."
Such a genius needs to be guided by a true grand cultivator.
Just as he was thinking, a hearty laugh came from outside the hall.
"Junior brother, I hear you've been in good spirits these past two days? Is there something joyful happening?"
Before seeing the person, his voice was heard.
Immediately after, an elder wearing a gray robe, with white hair and beard but a ruddy complexion, stepped in.
This person was none other than the Great Elder of Huiyuan Gate, and Liu Enchuan's senior brother, Ren Wencai.
"Senior brother has arrived."
Liu Enchuan quickly rose to greet him, personally pouring a cup of spirit tea for his senior brother.
"Not exactly a joyful event, but I discovered something interesting and wanted to discuss it with senior brother."
The two sat down and chatted about the recent happenings in the sect.
Ren Wencai took a sip of tea, and seeing Liu Enchuan's hesitant yet eager-to-show-off expression, he couldn't help but laugh:
"Alright, stop holding back. What could make you so happy?"
Seeing the time was ripe, Liu Enchuan no longer played coy.
He put down his teacup, his expression becoming serious:
"Senior brother, do you believe there exists in this world such a... strange genius who, despite a low cultivation realm, can fight above their level with swordsmanship, and even possess an understanding of the sword dao far surpassing ordinary people?"
Ren Wencai was slightly startled by this, then chuckled:
"Junior brother, are you joking? Fighting above one's level is rare but not unheard of. But to say someone with a low cultivation realm has an understanding of the sword dao far beyond ordinary people, this..."
Such a thing might exist in other sects, but with Wenjian Sect's cultivation methods... there's a strong correlation between sword dao mastery and cultivation level.
"I didn't believe it either, originally."
Liu Enchuan gave a wry smile, then recounted Jiang Lu's report and his own experience of going to test Gu Chengming in disguise as 'Liu En,' detailing everything.
As he spoke of Gu Chengming's tenacious, 'bone-sticking' sword art, and that final, elusive 'Antelope Hanging Horns' strike, Liu Enchuan's tone still held undeniable astonishment.
"That one sword strike, if I hadn't relied on my deep cultivation to forcibly change my move, I truly would have lost great face."
After listening to his junior brother's narration, the smile on Ren Wencai's face gradually faded, replaced by a thoughtful expression.
He knew his junior brother's character well.
Liu Enchuan was always pragmatic, even somewhat rigid, never one to exaggerate or speak idly.
Since he could speak to this extent, even going so far as to lower his status to test it, it meant there was a ninety percent chance it was true.
Seeing his senior brother's interest, Liu Enchuan struck while the iron was hot, saying:
"Senior brother, this child has extraordinary talent and an even rarer temperament. I know my own shallow knowledge and cannot teach him. But you, senior brother, are different; you have immersed yourself in the sword dao for a century. If you could take him as your personal disciple and teach him diligently, he will surely become a pillar of our Huiyuan Gate in the future!"
Liu Enchuan's calculations were shrewd.
If his senior brother took a disciple, then Gu Chengming would be his grand-nephew; rounding up, he'd be one of their own, keeping the benefits within the family.
However, to his surprise, after hearing the suggestion, Ren Wencai pondered for a moment, then slowly shook his head.
"No."
"Why?" Liu Enchuan was startled and asked anxiously, "Does senior brother dislike his low cultivation realm?"
"Not at all."
Ren Wencai waved his hand.
"Junior brother, you only know one part, not the other."
"If what you say is true, that this child hasn't claimed resources for three years, is willing to hone his sword intent at a low realm, and his swordsmanship is naturally perfected... then what he cultivates is probably not our usual path."
Liu Enchuan was somewhat bewildered: "What path is that?"
Ren Wencai took a deep breath and slowly uttered four words:
"Ancient Bitter Sword."
"Bitter Sword?"
Liu Enchuan frowned, this term was somewhat unfamiliar to him.
Ren Wencai nodded and slowly explained:
"In ancient times, sword cultivators either absorbed the essence of the sun and moon or refined rare treasures. However, the Bitter Sword lineage took a vastly different path."
"Its path states: the more the body suffers, the stronger the will; the more tranquil the heart, the sharper the sword! This is not a method of refining artifacts, but truly an art of refining the heart to prove the Dao, using boundless hardship as a whetstone to sharpen that innate spiritual sword intent within the heart."
At this point, Ren Wencai looked at Liu Enchuan:
"Cultivators of this lineage often progress extremely slowly in the early stages, sometimes making no progress for years or even decades. Others see them as decaying wood or stubborn stones. But in reality, they are accumulating power, nurturing their sword."
"Once that critical point is reached..."
Ren Wencai paused, a trace of reminiscence flashing in his eyes:
"Wenjian Sect once had a grand cultivator who cultivated this way, breaking through three major realms overnight. As the saying goes, 'with heavy tribulations, the sword resonates on its own.'"
Liu Enchuan also knew who his senior brother was referring to: that true cultivator known as the 'True Monarch Who Defies Fate and Slashes Calamities.' Throughout the history of Wenjian Sect since its founding, this individual had truly left a profound mark.
He swallowed, feeling his throat dry.
"Senior brother means... Gu Chengming is also following that person's path?"
"Eight or nine times out of ten."
Ren Wencai stroked his beard, looking profound and unfathomable.
"If we were to take him as a disciple in the usual way and impart cultivation methods, it would instead disturb his dao heart. For a Bitter Sword seedling like him, the best way to teach is 'not to teach.' Let him comprehend in hardship and temper himself in desperation."
Liu Enchuan nodded repeatedly, a wave of fear washing over him.
"Fortunately, I didn't act rashly before. Senior brother truly has vast experience."
If he had truly, on a whim, taken Gu Chengming as a disciple, constantly fed him pills, and forced him to practice those flashy sword moves, wouldn't he have become a criminal who stifled a genius?
But then, Liu Enchuan's brows furrowed again, and a troubled expression appeared on his face.
"Senior brother is absolutely right. Although this 'Ancient Bitter Sword' is powerful, it emphasizes sudden enlightenment and accumulating strength for a grand release. But currently... the sect's disciple assessment is approaching."
Liu Enchuan pointed to the report on the table:
"This assessment has strict rules: if your realm isn't high enough, you're directly eliminated. Gu Chengming is only at the First Realm, Third Level right now. Even if his swordsmanship is superb, he won't pass according to the rules. If he's expelled from the sect, then what good is his Bitter Sword path, or any sudden enlightenment? Wouldn't it all become an illusion?"
Ren Wencai, hearing this, smiled calmly and waved his hand:
"No worries, I'll figure out a way for this matter."
Liu Enchuan immediately turned pale with shock upon hearing this.
"Senior brother! Please don't mess around!"
He lowered his voice: "The disciple assessment is personally overseen by Inner Sect elders. If we're caught engaging in favoritism or cheating, how will our Huiyuan Gate ever establish itself within the sect again? We'd lose immense face!"
"Who do you take your senior brother for?"
Seeing his junior brother's alarmed expression, Ren Wencai let out a wry laugh.
He reached out and patted Liu Enchuan's shoulder, signaling him to calm down.
"Don't worry, I won't engage in favoritism or cheating."
"You just wait and see."
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