Chapter 1086: I Follow the Teacher's Way, You Hold the Student's Etiquette, This is Called "Transmission"

"Xu Xiaoshou, do you want to learn swordsmanship?"

In the deserted ancient city, as Mei Sirén's light question settled, Xu Xiaoshou's excited desire to storm the Sin Hall with his two invincible bodyguards instantly cooled.

Swordsmanship...

Once upon a time, learning the sword was this body's original dream. The original owner had even spent three years, exerting all his effort, just to master the first stance of the acquired spiritual technique, White Cloud Sword Art. Then, due to an accidental "self-imposed isolation suicide," Xu Xiaoshou transmigrated.

He gained the Passive System and soon acquired "Sword Mastery." From then on, he was unstoppable, his sword intent evolving naturally from Acquired to Innate, then to Grandmaster, and finally to King. It was as simple as breathing and cultivating.

However, all these changes stalled at a certain point. Xu Xiaoshou was already a Sword Dao King, possessing the vast knowledge bestowed by "Sword Mastery" concerning all aspects of swordsmanship. Yet, his Sword Dao King status felt insubstantial, like water. His peers, like Gu Qingyi and Gu Qing'er, had long mastered one or two of the Nine Great Sword Arts and Eighteen Sword Flows, and had even delved into the Three Thousand Sword Dao. But he, on the other hand, knew nothing about ancient sword cultivation. No matter how rich his theoretical knowledge, vast as an ocean, Xu Xiaoshou's ability to convert theory into combat power was like drawing water from that ocean through a tiny pipe. It was a mere trickle, ineffective.

"I'm already strong enough..." Before the night battle in East Heaven City, Mr. Sirén had considered taking him as a disciple. But Xu Xiaoshou was haughty then, believing he could break through the shackles of swordsmanship by brute-force leveling up his skill points, without needing a master. Perhaps it wasn't haughtiness; Xu Xiaoshou genuinely believed that, given time, he could indeed achieve all this. However, the prerequisite for breaking through this Sword Dao bottleneck was... time! In other words, he needed "time"!

Along his journey, having personally witnessed Rao Yaoyao's Mortal Dust Sword, heard Xiao Kongtong's grand descriptions of the Nine Great Sword Arts, and faced increasingly perilous situations and stronger enemies, Xu Xiaoshou had, in fact, long harbored regrets. "Time, I'm desperately short on it!" Otherwise, he wouldn't have soon developed the desire to find Ba Zun'an and earnestly learn ancient swordsmanship. Otherwise, after having rejected Mr. Sirén once, he wouldn't have been so hesitant to ask for instruction when they met again, despite his desire to learn.

In the Miracle Forest, Mei Sirén's transcendent "Sword Manifestation"—with Ghost Kings beneath his feet and tens of thousands of swords bowing to him—and his majestic display of four realms united, striking down a Saint with a single sword, who among sword cultivators wouldn't be moved? Xu Xiaoshou was immensely moved! When he used his disappearance technique, he frantically tried to engrave those scenes into his memory, hoping to later savor them and discern some insights. If that failed, he could always seek out Ba Zun'an afterward and ask him for explanations... After all, with such a powerful backer, it would be a waste not to use him.

But Xu Xiaoshou never imagined that before he even had a chance to meet the elusive Ba Zun'an, Mr. Sirén, right in front of him, was offering a second opportunity!

"I..." Looking at the stone sword offered to him, Xu Xiaoshou blushed, feeling a mix of shame and awkwardness. This stone sword was incredibly plain! Yet, what Xu Xiaoshou saw in it was the most mysterious gate of ancient swordsmanship, opening for him a second time! The hand assisting him wasn't forcefully trying to break in from behind the door. Instead, it was a Sword Dao Supreme Master, seated upon the highest throne within the door, who could effortlessly guide him, shattering the seemingly insurmountable threshold of ancient sword cultivation for ordinary people!

"But I've already rejected him once..." While his heart was still conflicted, a little figure popped up in his mind, red-faced, accusing and roaring: "What pride are you clinging to, Xu Xiaoshou?! If you don't seize this opportunity, you'll be the undisputed biggest idiot on the Sacred God Continent! Is your King-level 'Perception' wasted? Is your brain filled with water? With such large ears, couldn't you hear Mr. Sirén's deliberate teaching through his sword display in the Miracle Forest? With such large eyes, couldn't you see who came to save you at the last critical moment when you faced the Saint? Don't you know where the 'Universal Pass Symbol' was ultimately locked onto? Don't you understand the profound meaning behind it? If Ba Zun'an hadn't intervened, would Mr. Sirén have possessed the 'Universal Pass Symbol'? Would you have even gotten a second chance from Mr. Sirén? And now, the opportunity is right before you, and you're still hesitating?!"

In a flash, his thoughts clicked. Xu Xiaoshou, slightly stunned, raised his gaze from the ordinary stone sword to meet Mr. Sirén's gentle, smiling eyes.

"Yes, I do!" Xu Xiaoshou finally spoke loudly, giving his most direct thought and most definite answer. How intelligent was he, capable of toying with even a Half-Saint? How could he not see what Mr. Sirén's act of bringing the "Universal Pass Symbol" and coming to the Miracle Forest to save him truly meant?

But despite understanding, Xu Xiaoshou still hesitated to reach out and take the sword. Mr. Sirén offered it casually, but Xu Xiaoshou knew he couldn't accept such a profound inheritance so casually.

"If you want it, then take it." Mei Sirén smiled. His hand, gripping the sword as if tempered by a thousand trials, remained perfectly still, still extended.

Xiao Kongtong watched from the side, fretting anxiously. At that moment, he desperately wished he could possess Xu Xiaoshou, take the stone sword on his behalf, immediately bow in homage, and then return control of the body to Xu Xiaoshou. Heaven knew what kind of "cramming" teaching he experienced when he first met his teacher, Ba Zun'an! In mere moments, his teacher had forcibly demonstrated the Nine Great Sword Arts, Eighteen Sword Flows, and the Three Thousand Sword Dao to a clueless little boy, then turned around and left, eloping with his wife. He didn't care if the little boy understood; he swiftly sealed all his memories, leaving him to gradually self-learn as he grew. This is how Xiao Kongtong grew up. It wasn't until many years later, when he had grown up, fully grasped everything, and established his own orphanage, "Myriad Blessing Hall," which he named "Moon Immortal City," that he saw his teacher for the second time. It was during this second encounter that he received his second lesson in Sword Dao, subsequently comprehending "Sword Thought Incarnation." Therefore, with such a "crazy" sword cultivation experience, Xiao Kongtong understood even more clearly how impossible it was to expect a "vagabond" like his teacher, Ba Zun'an, to teach swordsmanship; and how truly precious it was to encounter a genuine "teacher" like Mei Sirén!

He didn't understand. He didn't understand what Xu Xiaoshou was thinking at that moment. If it were him, he wouldn't even think twice; he would take the sword and immediately bow, acknowledging him as his master!

However, everyone's circumstances differed. Xu Xiaoshou was unaware of Xiao Kongtong's thoughts and they weren't even within his consideration. At that moment, Mr. Sirén's single sentence had caused countless ripples of thought in his heart.

"If you want it, then take it..." How could it be that simple? This unexpected "battle" caught Xu Xiaoshou off guard. He could only enumerate and untangle the chaotic, tangled thoughts that had arisen from that sentence. "Why would Mr. Sirén give me a second chance? Ba Zun'an shouldn't be able to invite him either... I already have one master, and Elder Sang hasn't even been rescued yet. If he were here, would he agree to me taking another master... He brought the 'Universal Pass Symbol' and wants to teach me swordsmanship directly. Could there be some deeper meaning? Is Ba Zun'an trying to trick me again, up to some new mischief..."

Chaotic thoughts, myriad and diverse, swirled without a clear direction. But the next second, when Xu Xiaoshou's gaze settled on Mr. Sirén's sincere, clear, untainted, pure, and transparent eyes, the chaotic thoughts exploding like fireworks in his mind all vanished into nothingness. Before him, only a waiting stone sword remained, and a gently smiling teacher...

In that moment, all the "why's" in his mind disappeared. Everything coalesced into a final thought: "Xu Xiaoshou, why aren't you taking the sword? Are you waiting until Mr. Sirén's arm aches? How much nerve do you have! Are you expecting a Sword Immortal to beg you to learn swordsmanship?"

*Clack*.

Xu Xiaoshou quickly stepped forward, took the stone sword with both hands from Mr. Sirén. The sword was plain and unremarkable. Although it felt incredibly light, it seemed to weigh ten thousand pounds in his hands, so much so that Xu Xiaoshou, who was usually eloquent, couldn't utter a complete sentence for a long time.

"I..." He strained for a moment, his face flushing. All the jumbled thoughts in his mind, upon taking the sword, suddenly found their answers, making any further questions unnecessary.

I want to.Mr. Sirén is also willing to teach.Isn't this the best outcome? Why consider anything else?

Holding the stone sword, almost by impulse, Xu Xiaoshou finally managed to blurt out: "I, I have very poor comprehension. I once practiced the White Cloud Sword Art for three years and only managed to master the first stance. Mr. Sirén, if you're going to teach me, please be mentally prepared..."

White Cloud Sword Art? Xiao Kongtong, watching from the side, stared at Xu Xiaoshou as if he'd seen a ghost, wondering, *What kind of forbidden art, what sacred martial skill is this? Or is it an ultimate technique that surpasses Master's "Sword Thought"?* Xu Xiaoshou, with all that sword intent, needed three years to learn the first stance of the White Cloud Sword Art?

Mei Sirén, however, didn't mind. He chuckled, retracted his hand, and unfurled a paper fan. With a flick, the fan's surface revealed several boldly written characters: "Are you stupid?"

"What was this old man's question?" Mei Sirén said slowly.

"Xu Xiaoshou, do you want to learn swordsmanship..." Xu Xiaoshou stared blankly at the words on the fan, plus a large question mark, still pondering if it was intentional or coincidental, but his memories were stirred by Mr. Sirén's words.

Mei Sirén nodded and continued, "Then, besides 'wanting to,' did this old man ask you anything else?"

"No..." Xu Xiaoshou finally managed to stammer.

"Since that's the case, 'wanting to' is enough. Why look left and right, overthink, and hesitate indecisively?"

*Whoosh*. Xu Xiaoshou's eyes shot open; his consciousness seemed to finally return to his body, and his usual quick wit came back, making him instantly realize everything. Indeed, no one in this world could compel Mr. Sirén, so if he wanted to teach swordsmanship, it could only be his own intention, free from any external interference, not even the slightest bit!

"I understand," Xu Xiaoshou said, his mouth agape.

"Besides," Mei Sirén's lips curved into a smile, "your sword physique is already rare in the world; how could you lack talent in Sword Dao?" What he valued in Xu Xiaoshou back in the First Tower in the Sky was precisely his Sword Dao talent!

"I have a sword physique?" Xu Xiaoshou was bewildered.

"Heh." Mei Sirén sized up Xu Xiaoshou, then suddenly took a step forward, folded his paper fan, and gently tapped Xu Xiaoshou's head.

*Hum—*

With this infusion of sword intent, using Xu Xiaoshou's body as a medium, sword qi burst forth in all directions from the long street, creating a perfect trigram circle within a ten-zhang radius.

"This, isn't this your talent?" Mei Sirén smiled.

Xu Xiaoshou finally realized that Mr. Sirén was referring to his passive skill — "Sharpness"! He was momentarily stunned. With so many passive skills of his own, Mr. Sirén's paper fan showed no spiritual energy fluctuations. Yet, with a single tap, it not only didn't get shaken off but also vibrated out so much of his own sword qi. Or rather... "Light of Sharpness"! Xu Xiaoshou knew that without activating his "Proximity Field," these "Lights of Sharpness" on his body were difficult to release. How could Mr. Sirén, with a seemingly effortless tap, scatter them all?

As if discerning Xu Xiaoshou's confusion, Mei Sirén closed his paper fan and said earnestly: "In the Three Thousand Sword Dao, this is called 'Transmission.' The path of 'Transmission' is the root of why 'Sword Qi' can be generated. Cultivating this path to its extreme, combined with a sword cultivator's equipped sword, leads to the so-called 'Heavenly Dissolution of Renowned Swords,' transmitting all power outwards." He paused, his gaze turning serious, and emphasized, "Today, the first sword this old man will teach you is this 'Transmission.' Remember it well!"

Transmission...

Xu Xiaoshou felt as if pebbles had been dropped into the vast ocean of knowledge in his mind, causing instant ripples. Without needing further explanation from Mr. Sirén, he could already extract all the knowledge pertaining to "Transmission." Holding the stone sword, without even swinging it, with just a thought, a several-zhang-long sword qi, powered by the "Sharpness" on his body, shot forth, shining brilliantly!

In that instant, Mei Sirén was stunned. Xiao Kongtong, beside him, was also stunned, recalling Xu Xiaoshou's earlier words, "I have very poor comprehension..."

*You* have poor comprehension? You have poor comprehension, yet Mr. Sirén merely tapped you, and you immediately found the connection between the stone sword and your sword physique, mastering the path of "Transmission" in an instant? Xu Xiaoshou, what kind of joke are you playing?! When I mastered "Transmission," it took me a full hour!

Xiao Kongtong was exasperated, feeling as if Xu Xiaoshou's face at that moment was screaming two big words: "Needs a beating!"

"Received Condemnation, Passive Points, +1.""Received Glare, Passive Points, +1."

"This is 'Transmission'?" Holding the stone sword, Xu Xiaoshou excitedly turned his head. This was the feeling—smooth, comfortable... the feeling of "connection"! Before, his mind was full of knowledge, but he couldn't apply it in real combat. Mr. Sirén's tap had opened, shattered, and unblocked the channel that had been like a small pipe connecting him to an ocean of knowledge. Now, it was a cascading torrent, unstoppable!

Mei Sirén exerted great effort to resist unfurling his fan and calling him stupid again. He had intended to explain further only after Xu Xiaoshou encountered difficulties while practicing the sword. Who would have thought this fellow was truly quick-witted, needing no further instruction?

*Maintain composure, stay calm, I am a teacher now...* Mei Sirén silently admonished himself, then nodded gently, his expression serene. "Mm." After a slight hum, he casually added, "It's alright, passable, but there's still room for improvement and further progress."

"Alright? Alright is enough!" Recalling his sword qi, Xu Xiaoshou felt as if he was truly about to take off this time. If the knowledge from "Sword Mastery" could truly be brought forth by Mr. Sirén, then would the "First Realm" and "Second Realm" of the Nine Great Sword Arts and Eighteen Sword Flows be far off?

In his excitement, Xu Xiaoshou suddenly realized he seemed to have overlooked a crucial point! Mr. Sirén had already begun teaching the first sword, formally announcing his intention to take him as a disciple. Yet, Xu Xiaoshou had made no gesture, not even completing a formal apprenticeship ceremony.

"Mr. Sirén, what should I..." Xu Xiaoshou was momentarily flustered. Unsure of the ancient sword cultivation tradition or the required apprenticeship ceremony, he instinctively prepared to kneel, just as he had done for Elder Sang by the Goose Lake that day.

At that moment, a pair of hands reached out, stopping him. "There's no need for that." Mei Sirén fully understood Xu Xiaoshou's thoughts. With such an innocent heart, what more could a teacher ask for? He smiled, gently helped Xu Xiaoshou upright, and said softly with a serious expression, "I walk the path of a teacher, and you perform the rites of a student. This is 'Transmission.' Why would a formal apprenticeship ceremony be needed?"

Xu Xiaoshou gripped the stone sword, momentarily touched by Mr. Sirén's kind gesture. *This is "Transmission"...* In that instant, he finally understood why the first sword Mr. Sirén taught was this particular one. Of the Three Thousand Sword Dao, he chose only "Transmission." "Chuan Dao" (Transmission of the Way) means both "to transmit" (传) the "Way" (道), and also "to teach the Way" (传道)!

However, just as before when he received the stone sword, while Mr. Sirén could transmit the Way casually, Xu Xiaoshou dared not be so imprecise. After only a brief pause, a fleeting image of the sword in the Miracle Forest, causing all things to bow in reverence and unite, flashed through his mind. Xu Xiaoshou instantly understood what ritual he should perform at this moment!

In the majestic ancient city, on the long street... Facing the elder before him, Xu Xiaoshou took a deep breath, stepped back half a pace, bowed his waist, lowered his head, and with both hands, held the stone sword high above his head. His expression was earnest, solemn, and serious. Under the witness of Xiao Kongtong beside them, he declared loudly:

"Your student greets Mr. Sirén."