Chapter 2028: Zhang Xuan Becomes the Sect Leader

"It's too dangerous..." Han Jianqiu was anxious.

Zhang Xuan said, "Having comprehended the Sword Intent of the Divine, I will sooner or later become the Sect Master of the Glacial Sword Sect and venture further. How can I grow if I merely hide under your protection? Furthermore, a swordsman must possess an unstoppable momentum. If one shrinks back out of fear, their sword intent cannot be sustained!"

"This..." Han Jianqiu was speechless.

What the other party said was true.

Sword intent represents a swordsman's essence, energy, and spirit—their very will, ensuring their blade reaches its target!

Once fear causes hesitation and a loss of spirit in any endeavor, even a powerful sword intent will dim.

Such an instance had occurred in the Glacial Sword Sect. A thousand years ago, a sect master whose sword intent reached profound levels, with few rivals in the world, mistakenly killed a close friend over a trivial matter. Overwhelmed by self-reproach, he began to doubt his cultivation, which eventually led to the collapse of his internal sword intent, a drastic reduction in his cultivation, and ultimately, a melancholic death.

The individual before them had comprehended the Sword Intent of the Divine; he undoubtedly possessed an unstoppable momentum and a determination that no one in the world could obstruct. He could not afford any fear or restraint.

Close protection was for his safety, but if it undermined this very resolve, it would be counterproductive.

"Then... I'll give you the fastest flying immortal beast in the sect!" Han Jianqiu said, not lingering on the subject.

"No need, that would also attract too much attention!"

After a moment's hesitation, Zhang Xuan asked, "Are there any flying immortal beasts known to frequent this area? If not, I'll go tame one!"

The experts from the Spirit Temple were hidden somewhere; traveling on the sect's fastest flying immortal beast now would be like making himself a live target.

It would be better to change his appearance, leave quietly, and find a random place to tame a beast, which would also be swift.

"Tame one?" Han Jianqiu's eyebrows twitched. "Immortal beasts are usually very unruly. Taming them could take a long time; it's not as easy as you might think..."

The beast companions raised by the Glacial Sword Sect were mostly purchased from the Myriad Beasts Gate. They specialized only in sword arts and had almost no experience with beast taming.

Even so, they knew the difficulty involved.

Many disciples from the Myriad Beasts Gate, skilled in taming, would spend an unknown amount of time to tame a single beast, let alone the person before him.

While it's true that 'sharpening the axe doesn't delay the chopping,' the premise is that you need an axe to sharpen in the first place!

First mining iron ore, then finding a way to forge an axe, and only then chopping firewood... he would likely starve to death long before that!

"I know, I'll just give it a try!" Zhang Xuan smiled faintly, offering no further explanation.

"Well... since you've made up your mind, I won't stop you. This is a protective jade talisman I refined. When activated by your true qi during danger, it can form a defensive light membrane capable of withstanding an attack from a Pseudo-God realm expert!"

Seeing Zhang Xuan's firm resolve, Han Jianqiu shook his head helplessly and handed over a jade token.

"Thank you..."

Knowing it was a life-saving treasure, Zhang Xuan didn't refuse and took it.

"As for the flying immortal beasts you asked about, on Lingyun Mountain, about five thousand kilometers from here, there are several Immortal Lord-level ones, and also some True Immortal realm ones... The Myriad Beasts Gate has sent people several times to tame them, but they never succeeded. In any case... if you truly wish to go and see, be very careful!" Han Jianqiu continued to instruct.

Zhang Xuan nodded.

He carefully inquired about the location of the Stargazer Palace, and the other party answered each question.

Having clarified everything he wanted to know, Zhang Xuan did not linger, returning to the courtyard where Shan Xiaotian resided.

Bai Ruanqing had by this time received the notification and returned from Wuhai City.

"Xiaotian, I have accepted Ruanqing as my disciple. From today onwards, she will be your senior sister!"

"Greetings, Senior Sister!" Shan Xiaotian clasped his fists.

"These are your cultivation techniques and sword arts for the future. If you have any questions, I will answer them for you!"

Zhang Xuan flicked his finger, and two jade tokens landed before them.

They contained the cultivation methods and directions for their future training.

Shan Xiaotian and Bai Ruanqing eagerly began to examine them, becoming increasingly engrossed as they read.

The cultivation techniques and sword arts recorded within were truly profound; it was foreseeable that with diligent practice, their strength would rapidly improve.

Having quickly finished reading the content, they each voiced their unresolved questions.

Zhang Xuan guided them one by one.

"These are the Immortal Essence Pills you will need for your future cultivation, two bottles for each of you. I hope that when we next meet, your cultivation will have reached my expectations!"

He entered the Sword Pavilion's Hall of Enlightenment and retrieved two bottles of mid-grade Immortal Essence Pills and two bottles of high-grade ones, giving them to his two disciples.

With everything arranged, dawn gradually broke.

Unbeknownst to him, he had already spent two days and two nights at the Glacial Sword Sect, which was not a short amount of time.

However, his cultivation had advanced from initial Void Shattering realm to peak True Immortal realm. He had also comprehended the Sword Intent of the Divine, refined two peak Immortal Lord realm weapons, and three peak True Immortal realm soulless golden figures... his gains were considerable.

"We will never let Teacher down!"

Knowing their teacher was about to depart, Bai Ruanqing and Shan Xiaotian's eyes reddened, and they simultaneously bowed.

Zhang Xuan nodded with satisfaction.

To him, the Firmament was merely a place he was passing through.

His true goal was to find Luo Ruoxi.

Although these two disciples were technically personal disciples, he could not keep them by his side and meticulously guide them as he did with Zhao Ya and the others.

As for how far they would ultimately go in the future, that depended solely on themselves.

"Cao Chengli, after I leave, take good care of young master and young lady. Here are your future cultivation techniques and pills! Don't keep thinking about women. I hope that next time we meet, you'll have made some progress instead of bragging to me about 'ten kills' or 'hundred kills'!"

He called over the bandit, Cao Chengli.

"Ahem, to be honest... I've already reached a 'thousand kills'!" Cao Chengli awkwardly scratched his head. A moment later, he looked over with a puzzled expression, "By the way, young master, you are now..."

Zhang Xuan's eyebrows twitched, and his face darkened.

This fellow really was pushing his luck. With a cold snort, Zhang Xuan said, "I heard you've been hopping through the doorway recently. What kind of decorum is that? If I find out again, I'll break your legs!"

"Can't hop?" Cao Chengli was on the verge of tears.

First, he couldn't enter with his left foot, then not with his right, and now he couldn't hop... Did this mean he couldn't leave or enter anymore?

Too lazy to bother with this fellow who always brought up awkward topics, Zhang Xuan gave a few more instructions, then left the courtyard and headed towards the mountain gate.

Just as dawn broke, he had already passed through the mountain gate and disappeared into the vast wilderness, leaving no trace.

Shortly after he vanished, two elders suddenly appeared behind him, looking at each other in confusion.

They were Elder He and Elder Qiuhuo.

Although Han Jianqiu had agreed to let Zhang Xuan leave alone, he truly didn't dare to do so. As soon as he returned, he arranged for these two to follow and secretly protect Zhang Xuan, preventing any ambush from the Spirit Temple. Who would have thought they would lose him almost immediately after he left the sect...

"Quick, search!"

Soaring into the sky, the two ascended and searched everywhere.

The area was empty; there was no trace of Zhang Xuan.

Two hours later, they returned to the Elder Hall, their faces filled with embarrassment.

They had lost track of a True Immortal they were supposed to be following...

They truly didn't know how to explain this to the Sect Master.

"You didn't keep up?"

Seeing the two return, Han Jianqiu smiled wryly, as if he had expected it.

"Yes..." Elder He and Elder Qiuhuo didn't dare to look up.

"He already guessed you would follow him..." Han Jianqiu said.

"He guessed?" The two elders looked up in confusion simultaneously.

"Yes, and these are yours..." Han Jianqiu flicked his finger, and two jade tokens appeared in their palms.

As they channeled their true qi into them, Zhang Xuan's calm voice resounded, "Elders, please don't follow me. I can ensure my own safety! These are sword arts I created for you, specifically addressing the flaws in your current techniques. Cultivating according to these will deepen your understanding of the Way of the Sword and allow you to progress further..."

"This..."

They hastily examined the jade tokens. After quickly reading them, both elders were too stunned to speak.

The sword arts within the jade tokens precisely targeted the flaws in their sword moves. Cultivating according to these would undoubtedly elevate their sword arts even further! And even their cultivation might advance a step!

"How... how did he see that?" Their eyes widened, and they were speechless.

The flaws in their cultivation were known only to themselves; even their closest kin were unaware. Yet, after only one sparring session with them, the other party had clearly identified every single flaw, not only describing them perfectly but also providing complete corrections that perfectly aligned with their own cultivation methods...

How profound must one's understanding of cultivation be to achieve this?

Cultivation techniques and sword moves were complementary. Even a minor alteration to a single flaw, if slightly off, could lead to a greater disaster.

Thus, even though they knew their flaws, they didn't try to change them, not because they didn't want to, but because they couldn't!

Yet, the other party had accomplished it with ease...

"This... this kindness is truly immense!" Their eyes simultaneously reddened.

They had initially intended to protect him, yet not only did he not need it, but he also gave them such a significant gift, which they felt truly embarrassed to accept.

"It's not just you; each of us has one..." Han Jianqiu gave a wry smile, his gaze drifting towards the hall entrance, as if trying to follow the young man's departing figure, but he could find no trace.

The other party was like a deity who had descended to the mortal world, vanishing in a flash.

Only then did the two elders notice that the Sect Master and the other elders also held jade tokens, each containing records of their own flaws and methods for correction.

"Cultivate diligently, and do not let his goodwill go to waste!"

Han Jianqiu stood up, "Comprehending the Sword Intent of the Divine, seeing our flaws at a glance, and helping us revise our techniques... I believe that under his leadership, the Glacial Sword Sect will go further and further in the future!"

"Indeed!"

Everyone nodded, each filled with excitement.

They had thought that his comprehension of the Sword Intent of the Divine simply meant he himself was powerful. They hadn't expected... that not only could he cultivate himself, but he could also impart what he had comprehended!

This was truly formidable!

A highly talented individual who could cultivate was, at most, a symbol of power, inspiring awe... but to be able to guide others meant he could lead the entire sect to an even more glorious state!

"I have decided..." Seeing their expressions, Han Jianqiu smiled faintly.

"Sect Master, are you... sure?" Elder He looked at him, filled with shock, knowing what he was about to do.

"Yes!" Han Jianqiu nodded. "Before, I was concerned he might be too arrogant and whether he needed some tempering. But now, seeing him directly impart his understanding of the Way of the Sword to us without reservation... it fully demonstrates his unquestionable character!"

With a sigh of emotion, Han Jianqiu gently grasped with his hand, and a token symbolizing the Sect Master's authority immediately floated in the air.

Immediately after, his resonant voice, in the blink of an eye, echoed throughout the entire Glacial Sword Sect.

"From today onwards, Zhang Xuan shall be the Sect Master of our Sword Sect!"