Chapter 1345: True Understanding Classification (Part 1)

"I lost my composure..."

After laughing, Jian Qinsheng regained his composure and looked at Zhang Xuan again. The more he looked, the more satisfied he became. "What you just demonstrated was the Flowing Water Sword Art, wasn't it?"

Zhang Xuan was taken aback for a moment, then shook his head. "What's that? I've never heard of it!"

"Never heard of it?"

Jian Qinsheng frowned. "This set of sword techniques is exactly what I was practicing earlier. It was created by our ancestor, Jian Liushui, the third殿主 of the Saint Son Hall. It has been passed down for countless generations to me, and it is also circulated within the Hall... The sword intent and moves you just displayed are very similar. How could it not be?"

Although this set of sword techniques was created by his ancestor, it wasn't passed down exclusively through his lineage. Many students in the Sword Hall of the Saint Son Hall also practiced it. He had thought that even if this person wasn't from the Zhang family, he must have obtained the essentials of the Flowing Water Sword Art through some fortunate trial to reach such strength in a short time. He never expected that the person hadn't even heard of this sword art!

"What I just demonstrated was a sword technique of my own creation. It's completely different from the sword art you mentioned!"

Understanding that the other party was likely referring to the entirely incorrect moves he had just been practicing, Zhang Xuan smiled and shook his head. Such a flawed, trashy sword technique, if he were to encounter it, he wouldn't even glance at it, let alone learn it... how was that possible?

"Original creation?" Jian Qinsheng was stunned, his eyes wide. "That sword technique was created by you?"

Zhang Xuan nodded. This was the Saint Son Hall, the most pinnacle institution on the continent. If he were to mention Yang Xuan, and the Master Teacher Continent headquarters were to find no such person, it would lead to even more trouble. It was better to claim he created it himself. Having comprehended the true meaning of the Sword Dao, he could already be considered a grandmaster of the sword. Creating a few sword techniques was nothing.

"This..." Jian Qinsheng still found it hard to believe. "Could you demonstrate the sword technique you created again for me?"

"Of course!"

Nodding, Zhang Xuan pinched his fingers, and a streak of sword qi shot straight out from his fingertip. With a flick of his wrist, flashes of cold light glittered in the air, as if about to pierce through the very atmosphere. His sword moves were simple, seemingly without any flourish, yet they carried a sharpness that was difficult to evade, as if anyone encountering them would be struck. The speed of the sword moves was the same as before, very slow, but they contained an irresistible force. Resisting this sword technique was like trying to resist the Dao of Heaven itself.

"Indeed, it's not the Flowing Water Sword Art..."

Muttering to himself, Jian Qinsheng felt a little lost. He had thought that the other party had practiced his ancestor's sword technique, but now it seemed that the artistic conception of the two sword arts was completely different; they didn't belong to the same lineage at all. Moreover, the other party's sword technique, though seemingly only one move, contained countless variations within it, making it even more exquisite than his ancestor's Flowing Water Sword Art. Its power, however, was inferior, likely just a low-level sword technique, not exceeding Saint Realm mid-grade.

"Since Master Zhang can create such a powerful sword move and has even reached the realm of true comprehension himself, he probably isn't here to learn, is he?"

With a shift in his mindset, casting aside his disappointment, Jian Qinsheng looked over again. To be able to comprehend the true meaning of the Sword Dao was already to be a grandmaster of the highest order, and to create such a sword technique made him no less impressive than himself. To say he had come to learn from him was hard to believe.

"I am indeed here with a request. I heard that you have collected many sword art manuals here. May I be allowed to browse them?" Zhang Xuan stated his purpose.

"To read books? It's not impossible, but..."

Jian Qinsheng hesitated. "My sword library here was built by our ancestor Liushui back then, and it contains his sword intent. One can only enter if they are recognized. For years, I have used this as a standard for accepting disciples, with the aim of allowing them to smoothly enter the sword pavilion for study."

"Recognized by the sword intent?" Zhang Xuan frowned. Shui Qianrou had mentioned this once before. He had thought it was a rule set by Jian Qinsheng, but it seemed not.

"Yes! Our ancestor's strength far surpassed mine, reaching the pinnacle of the continent. The sword intent he left behind is magnificent and powerful; even I cannot break the rules!" Jian Qinsheng said with a wry smile. Everyone said he was old-fashioned and hoarded his skills, not widely spreading his advanced sword techniques, which led to his current situation. In fact, only he knew that these rules were set by his ancestor, and as a descendant, he simply couldn't change them.

"To enter the sword library to read, you either need a Hall Master's token or you must be recognized by the sword intent. There is no third way. If you truly wish to see them, why not take the test? Perhaps you will be recognized and can easily enter."

"Test?" After pondering for a moment, Zhang Xuan nodded. "Alright!"

Although he had the Hall Master's token, his true cultivation was only at the early stage of the Ethereal Spirit realm, and his Master Teacher rank was only seven-star... neither of which met the conditions for breaking the seal. If he were to reveal it now, being discovered would cause immense trouble. It didn't suit his low-key nature. It was better to just take the test. Perhaps with the uniqueness of his Heavenly Dao cultivation technique and Heavenly Dao sword art, he could pass easily.

"Follow me!" Seeing his agreement, Jian Qinsheng nodded. Since this person was not from the Zhang family and possessed such talent, if he only wanted to read books, Jian Qinsheng was very willing to help. It was just a pity that the rules could not be broken.

Zhang Xuan followed closely, and Shui Qianrou, Senior Brother Xie, and others also followed. Their presence there indicated they had all passed the assessment. At this moment, they also wanted to see if this sword master could pass as they had.

Before long, they arrived at a spacious room. In the center of the wall, a giant character, "剑" (sword), was written in powerful, flowing strokes, as if it would pierce the sky. It was somewhat similar to the one in the Sword Pond but distinctly different, containing a different artistic conception. Below the "剑" character on the wall, various annotations were carved, clearly ancient and existing for countless years. These were likely insights and experiences left by previous generations.

"This character was left by our ancestor Liushui. If you can walk within five meters of it without being attacked, it means you've been recognized," Jian Qinsheng explained.

"Understood!" Zhang Xuan nodded. When cultivated to a profound level, sword intent could automatically protect its master. This character on the wall contained Jian Liushui's lifelong intent, so its power was naturally extraordinary. If one's cultivation philosophy conflicted with it, they would be directly attacked. It wasn't that other techniques were forbidden, but rather the sword intent's self-preservation.

"I'll try!" Knowing that the only way to read the books was to find a way to approach, Zhang Xuan took a deep breath, said no more, and slowly walked forward. The massive character before him, like a sun, exuded an intense pressure, making even his Primeval Spirit feel a burning sensation.

"Could it be that the sword intent I cultivate truly doesn't conform?" He had only guessed before, but now, even before getting close, he felt immense pressure, confirming his suspicion. This was troublesome. He didn't want to sneak into the other party's library to steal books. Not to mention whether he had the ability, even if he did, he wouldn't dare to do so casually in the Saint Son Hall. After all, if he did, once his identity as Hall Master was revealed, it would become incredibly awkward.

Alas, fame and fortune kill! Being the Hall Master wasn't as joyful as he had imagined. It was better when he was penniless, free and unconstrained, doing whatever he wanted! He truly wished he were just an ordinary student, able to do as he pleased!

Lost in thought, his steps did not falter as he continued forward. The further he walked, the greater the pressure he felt, as if a long sword hung above his head, ready to strike down at any moment. The sword intent within him, sensing this threat, stirred restlessly, ready to confront and contend with it.

"Can he pass?" Seeing the young man advance step by step, Shui Qianrou was filled with worry.

"It will be very difficult..." Jian Qinsheng shook his head. Through observation, he had seen that the other party had his own path, completely different from his ancestor's Flowing Water Sword Art. The possibility of him being recognized was not high.

*Whoosh whoosh whoosh!*

As they spoke, they indeed saw the "剑" character on the wall tremble slightly, and a magnificent sword qi sliced directly towards Zhang Xuan.

"Ah!" Knowing that Zhang Xuan had not been recognized, Jian Qinsheng shook his head and thrust his palm forward. A tremendous force shot from his fingertips, blocking the sword qi from the "剑" character and forcing it back.

"Come back!"

"Okay!" Knowing the result, Zhang Xuan could only shake his head and retreat to the others.

"It seems you weren't recognized. The sword library, I'm afraid, cannot be opened for you..." Jian Qinsheng said with an apologetic expression.

Zhang Xuan felt helpless. He had thought that the Heavenly Dao sword art could merge with it, but it seemed he had thought too simply. "Is there any way to gain recognition?" he couldn't help but ask.

"Although there is only one Sword Dao, there are many true comprehensions. Our ancestor comprehended one kind, the Zhang family head comprehended another, and Sword Saint Kuang also comprehended one... Different true comprehensions repel each other! Other than comprehending another true comprehension, one could also comprehend our ancestor Liushui's true comprehension and reach that level, on par with the sword intent in your body. Otherwise, it's absolutely impossible!" Jian Qinsheng said with a wry smile. All roads lead to Rome. If the Sword Dao is compared to a destination, and true comprehensions are compared to roads, once the direction is set, there are bound to be many paths. Just like a problem can have many solutions that ultimately lead to the same answer. Different true comprehensions possess different powers, some even being diametrically opposed. How could they be recognized?

"You mean... as long as I cultivate the sword intent written on this '剑' character and reach the true comprehension level, I can gain recognition?" Zhang Xuan looked at him.

"Exactly!" Jian Qinsheng nodded. "However, don't even think about it. One kind of Sword Dao true comprehension is difficult enough for someone to achieve in a lifetime, let alone a second kind... it's absolutely impossible! In the Saint Son Hall, countless sword art geniuses have never succeeded. It's better not to even consider it..."

"Is it really that difficult?" Zhang Xuan felt a little puzzled. He then looked at the numerous characters below the "剑" character and slowly closed his eyes.

"Yes, the difficulty is unimaginable! I've read some books about our ancestor. It is said that after ancestor Liushui comprehended this sword intent, he once tried to learn others, and as a result, he almost suffered a qi deviation..." Jian Qinsheng sighed, turning to look at the young man not far away. He was about to apologize and ask him to leave when he heard a sharp rumble.

A burst of sword intent shot straight out from the young man's glabella. The "剑" character directly in front of them seemed to sense something and vibrated violently with excitement, causing the room to creak audibly.

"The Sword Dao true comprehension that our ancestor comprehended?" Jian Qinsheng's pupils contracted.

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