Chapter 560: Abstention

While sword moves were being discussed inside, the people outside were already pacing anxiously.

"Hall Master Kang, Master Zhang has been inside for almost an hour and still hasn't emerged. Surely Elder Hong wouldn't kill him in a fit of rage, would he?" Master Su looked anxious.

Nearly an hour had passed since Zhang Xuan entered the room. Not only had he not reappeared, but no words had shown up on the wall, leaving everyone completely in the dark about the situation. Master Su was not the only one anxious; everyone in the hall was bewildered.

"Don't worry," Hall Master Kang said reassuringly, "even if things got unpleasant, if there was any fighting, techniques would be displayed... Since no numbers have appeared yet, it means no one has resorted to that..." Despite his words, his brows were furrowed, and his eyes were filled with confusion.

Even if Zhang Xuan were to break the rules and act presumptuously, Elder Hong wouldn't react like that! He was a person who had lived for one or two hundred years; how could he possibly attack a dignified master over a minor issue in front of so many people? Besides, any action would certainly display numbers. Yet, there was no activity at all, as if they had merely entered the room and fallen asleep. What on earth was going on?

"Hall Master, why don't you... go in and check?" Master Ling also looked towards him. Simply waiting like this was no solution; going in would at least clarify what had happened.

"Alright!" Hall Master Kang nodded after a moment of hesitation. "You all wait here. I'll go in alone. That way, if anything happens, it'll be easier to resolve!"

Masters Su and Ling acknowledged. Hall Master Kang took a deep breath, and just as he was about to push the door open, it creaked, and Zhang Xuan and Elder Hong walked out side by side. Both were impeccably dressed and smiling, showing no signs of discord.

Everyone exchanged bewildered glances. So, after all that, they hadn't even fought! If there was no conflict, why didn't they come out? Why make so many people wait?

Elder Wu, Elder Bai, and Elder Yun also exchanged glances, their eyes full of bewilderment. Based on their past experiences, they had assumed that even if there wasn't a fight, Elder Hong would be in a difficult position. They were surprised to see the two chatting and laughing, completely free of any displeasure. Could it be that Master Zhang had changed his ways? He had made them suffer so much, yet he had changed his nature when dealing with Elder Hong... All three were deeply skeptical.

"Elder Hong, what is this about...?" Hall Master Kang also looked over, puzzled.

"Oh, it's nothing!" Elder Hong shook his head and turned to look at the young man beside him, still unable to suppress the shock and admiration in his heart. He had initially thought this fellow had only identified flaws in two moves. It was only through their recent deep conversation that he realized the young man's understanding of cultivation had reached an unfathomable depth, and any casual guidance proved immensely beneficial. His Red Lotus Nine Swords, which he had been so proud of, was riddled with flaws and weaknesses under the young man's insightful analysis! While it looked imposing and worked well against cultivators of the same level, against truly formidable masters, it would be shattered with a mere flick of a finger, offering no resistance whatsoever! If he were to challenge others with such a move, his opponent would likely emerge unscathed, while he himself would be killed first by the backlash. Creating a martial art that could kill oneself... if word got out, it would probably make everyone laugh hysterically, and his lifelong reputation would be utterly ruined. Knowing this, he humbly sought guidance for nearly an hour. Through the young man's pointers, he gained a much deeper understanding of the sword technique and benefited immensely. He was confident that with further modifications, he could soon create an even more perfect and fitting ultimate move.

"Nothing? Then... are the selection results out?" Seeing that Elder Hong was unwilling to elaborate, Hall Master Kang shifted the topic to the selection.

"Yes, the results are in. I'll announce them now!" Elder Hong nodded and smiled slightly. "After my assessment just now, the results for the fourth round are in. Luo Xi and Du Hu each blocked three swords, both tying for fifth place. Feng Mosheng and Fu Xiaochen both blocked five swords, tying for third. Jun Ruohuan blocked six swords, placing second. And first place goes to... Master Zhang!"

"Master Zhang is first?"

"He's first again? Didn't they not even spar?" Hearing this result, everyone present was stunned and perplexed. Jun Ruohuan and the others before him had visibly left their scores on the wall for all to see. But this Master Zhang hadn't displayed a single move; how could he be ranked first?

"I object!" Young Master Ruohuan stepped forward. "If it were a sword contest and the numbers displayed were far superior to mine, I would accept it. But to declare him first without even competing, isn't that unfair?!" It's like scoring 99 on an exam; if the other person scores 100, then you lose. But... if they didn't even take the exam, how can they be first?

"You object?" Elder Hong's brows furrowed.

"That's right. I comprehended the Red Lotus Nine Swords to the pinnacle of the proficient realm within the time it takes an incense stick to burn. Using only sword moves, I managed to block six swords from the Elder... I want to know, for him to be declared first, to what extent has he cultivated it? Has he perhaps reached minor accomplishment?" As he spoke, Young Master Ruohuan turned to look at the young man not far away and gritted his teeth. "I don't believe you could comprehend this martial art to minor accomplishment within the time it takes an incense stick to burn... Unless you spar with me right now, using only sword techniques, and defeat me!"

"Defeat you?" Zhang Xuan shook his head. "Let's not. I don't want to bully anyone!"

"Oh, my!"

"That's a bit too arrogant!"

Hearing his words, everyone exchanged bewildered glances. Young Master Ruohuan, after all, was a four-star master and an incredibly powerful figure at the initial stage of Transcendent Mortal 4-dan. What's more, he excelled in swordsmanship, and had just challenged Zhang Xuan to a spar, yet this fellow claimed... he didn't want to bully anyone! You, a man who specializes in the spear, saying something like that? Aren't you afraid of biting off more than you can chew?

"You..." Young Master Ruohuan's face flushed red then turned pale, nearly exploding with anger. "It's fine if you don't spar with me. As long as you admit that you comprehended the Red Lotus Nine Swords to minor accomplishment within the time it takes an incense stick to burn, I will concede willingly and won't say another word." As long as he admitted to having comprehended it to a deeper level than himself, Young Master Ruohuan, trusting in the honor of a master, would naturally not press the matter further.

"Minor accomplishment..." Zhang Xuan shook his head again. "The Red Lotus Nine Swords? I haven't practiced a single move of it, not even reaching basic proficiency, so how could I possibly have reached minor accomplishment!"

"Haven't practiced?" Not only Young Master Ruohuan was stunned, but everyone else was also dumbfounded. Not a single move practiced? Then how could he be ranked first? This is blatant favoritism! Hall Master Kang, Master Su, and the others were also completely baffled. They had known Elder Hong for many years and knew him to be a fair and upright man, incapable of showing favoritism or committing malpractice. But... Master Zhang hadn't even learned the technique, so how could he be declared first? This was a selection for the Master Teacher Tournament; wasn't this a bit too casual?

"Could it be... that Elder Hong has taken Master Zhang as his student? And to allow his student to participate in the tournament, he deliberately went easy?"

"That can't be!"

"If that's not the case, why did they stay in the room for an hour, and without even practicing, he was directly announced as first?" The crowd murmured. Master Zhang and Elder Hong hadn't known each other initially, but in the blink of an eye, their attitudes had changed drastically. No one would believe there was no connection between them.

"Elder Hong, what exactly is going on?" Unable to hold back, Hall Master Kang looked over. Everyone else also focused their gaze on him.

"Take him as a student?" Hearing everyone's guesses, Elder Hong's mouth twitched. "You guys really dare to think that! Even if I wanted to take him as a student, I'd need to be capable enough! Stop guessing wildly," he said, shaking his head and revealing the truth. "It was I who wanted to take Master Zhang as my teacher, but he didn't agree!"

"Take him... as a teacher? And he didn't agree?"

"Elder Hong isn't joking, is he?" Everyone's mouths fell open, and a ripple of uproar spread through the entire hall.

Elder Hong was renowned as the foremost authority on cultivation techniques and martial arts in Myriad Kingdom City. Many master teachers practiced the ultimate moves he had created. It could even be said that at least half of the master teachers in the entire hall were his half-students, owing him a debt of gratitude as a mentor. Such an extraordinary figure actually wanted to take this guy as his teacher? If that were true, wouldn't more than half the people in the entire hall become his grand-students? And... the most crucial part was... this guy refused... Are you kidding me?

"Master Zhang's talent is exceptional, and his understanding of cultivation has reached an unfathomable and awe-inspiring level," Elder Hong stated gravely. "Regarding my Red Lotus Nine Swords, although he hasn't practiced it, his understanding is so profound that no one can match it; even I fall far short. I consulted him for an hour just now, and I believe I benefited immensely!"

"Learn?" Everyone looked at each other, utterly bewildered, their minds struggling to process this. Hadn't the Red Lotus Nine Swords been created by Elder Hong himself and cultivated to the grand accomplishment stage? To consult and learn from someone who had only studied it for the time it takes an incense stick to burn... and even want to take him as a master, claiming immense benefit... How could this not sound like a joke?

Elder Wu, Elder Bai, and the others also widened their eyes. Initially, seeing the two emerge safely, they had thought Zhang Xuan would cause no more trouble. Now, it seemed they had been too naive. He wasn't avoiding trouble; instead, he had captivated Elder Hong's heart to the point where Elder Hong was about to take him as a master! They had, at most, suffered injuries. But this fellow... if he truly became his master, Elder Hong's previous fame and status would vanish into thin air.

"This round assesses one's understanding of cultivation," Elder Hong explained, looking at Young Master Ruohuan. "After observing for the same incense stick's worth of time, Young Master Ruohuan only managed to block six of my sword moves... whereas Master Zhang could guide me, acting as my teacher... Even if he hasn't practiced it, ranking first should be no problem, right?"

"This..." Young Master Ruohuan's body stiffened, and his face took on an expression that looked like he was about to cry. Given Elder Hong's status, he couldn't possibly lie, which meant it was almost certainly true. After observing for the same incense stick's worth of time, he had only cultivated to proficiency and was already feeling proud and conceited. Yet, the other person had completely understood it and could even teach the very person who created the technique... Damn it! Where did this freak come from? He's too monstrous! No wonder Zhang Xuan had said earlier that sparring with him would be bullying... He himself could only withstand six moves from Elder Hong. Facing someone who could teach Elder Hong, if he were to actually agree to a spar, what else would it be but bullying?

"Since the results are out, I think we should proceed with the next round of assessment!" Seeing his student utterly dejected and on the verge of collapsing, Hall Master Kang had no choice but to speak again, interrupting the topic. "The next assessment is also the final round of the selection, which involves pointing out flaws and deficiencies during cultivation guidance..."

Just as he was about to continue, he suddenly heard a voice. Hall Master Kang then saw Zhang Xuan looking at him.

"This round... I forfeit!"