Chapter 1991: The Shock of Sect Leader Han

"Uncle-Master, this might not be so simple!"

Bai Ruanqing's delicate brows furrowed slightly: "There are a total of seventeen tasks in Wuhai City, most of them worth around twenty Sword Pavilion Coins. Even the one to heal the city lord's daughter is only worth twenty-five. A treasure appraisal being so valuable—don't you find it strange?"

Even she, who was usually careless and unconcerned, could see the problem. Could it be that her uncle-master hadn't noticed?

"No matter!" Zhang Xuan waved his hand.

He had naturally seen it long ago, but... with the Library, no matter how difficult the appraisal, it wouldn't be a problem.

At most, it was a matter of touching or not touching.

"Since Uncle-Master has made a decision, I won't interfere. Anyway, I know nothing about treasure appraisal!" Seeing his composure, Bai Ruanqing said no more.

Now she had a blind admiration for this uncle-master, who was even younger than her. Since he didn't care, there must be nothing to worry about.

Once the task was confirmed, the next step was to claim it. Although Bai Ruanqing rarely did tasks, she had followed her grandfather since childhood and was familiar with the process.

Soon they obtained the task token. Once completed, the token would automatically send feedback and pay the reward.

Of course, there was a time limit. Wuhai City was relatively close, and the appraisal didn't involve exploration. If it wasn't completed within three days, not only would they earn nothing, but they would also have to compensate three Sword Pavilion Coins.

With the task token in hand, they boarded a flying sacred beast and left the sect, speeding toward Wuhai City.

...

Hearing the report from the elder before him, Han Jianqiu rubbed his brow.

This future sect leader really wasn't one to be at ease. He had just told him not to cause trouble in the inner sect, core sect, or even the Elder Hall... and now he had run off to Wuhai City...

Couldn't he just stay obediently in the sect and cultivate properly?

Having comprehended the Divine Sword Intent meant his understanding of the sword had reached its peak... What he should do now was cultivate and raise his cultivation. Once his strength reached the Immortal Lord realm... even he might not be a match, and he could roam the world unchallenged...

But this fellow, after bullying the inner sect, bullied the core sect; after bullying the core sect, bullied the elders and the sect leader; after bullying everyone... he had run off to Wuhai City again!

Would he die if he didn't show off for a single day?

Besides, even if he didn't cultivate, he had just been given a longsword—at least he could bond with it and prepare for future refinement!

"Should we bring him back and make him cultivate properly?" Elder He's face was also livid with anger.

"It's best to bring him back..." Han Jianqiu nodded, then suddenly remembered something and asked, "How is his cultivation speed? At twenty, reaching the initial stage of the Void Immortal realm shouldn't be considered weak, right? If he has his own cultivation plan, we shouldn't interfere. If it's too slow, then we can make him settle down!"

Comprehending the Divine Sword Intent involved elements of insight and luck, but cultivating true qi and immortal power required steady, solid progress step by step.

For him to reach the initial Void Immortal realm at such a young age should mean he was disciplined. But why did he seem so unruly now?

"Ruanqing is with him. Let me ask!"

Elder Bai Ye, who was on the side, said.

Han Jianqiu nodded.

He sent a message and soon received a reply. Reading the content, Elder Bai Ye rubbed his eyes vigorously, afraid he had misread.

"What's wrong?"

Seeing his expression, the others gathered around.

"Ruanqing told me that she heard from Elder Lu Yun and others... when Zhang Xuan first entered the Sword Pavilion yesterday, he was only at the initial stage of the Ancient Saint fourth level!"

Elder Bai Ye said with a bitter smile.

"Initial stage of Ancient Saint fourth level? You mean... in one day, he advanced from the initial stage to the initial stage of the Void Immortal realm, a whole major level?" Han Jianqiu's pupils contracted.

Although the Ancient Saint fourth level wasn't very high, completing such a leap in one day was still extremely difficult.

"Not only that... The message from Ruanqing says that he is now at the peak of the Void Immortal realm!"

Elder Bai Ye said.

"Peak?"

Everyone was stunned.

Half an hour ago, when they fought, wasn't he only at the initial stage? When did he become peak?

"Summon Elder Lu Yun..."

After a moment of thought, Han Jianqiu ordered.

With the sect leader's command, Elder Lu Yun soon arrived.

"Tell us in detail about your trip to Xuancheng to recruit students..." Han Jianqiu waved his hand.

"Yes..."

Elder Lu Yun recounted everything he knew and saw in detail.

"You say... in about an hour, Zhang Xuan made Shan Xiaotian advance from the Great Saint third level directly to the Ancient Saint level?"

The others looked at each other again, their faces twitching.

As Immortal Lord realm experts, they had seen much, but they had never heard of someone advancing two major levels in an hour!

"Yes, I saw it with my own eyes, absolutely no mistake!" Elder Lu Yun nodded. "At that time, Zhang Xuan was indeed at the initial stage of the Ancient Saint fourth level!"

"Alright, go and rest. Don't tell anyone about today's events!"

Waving his hand, he dismissed Elder Lu Yun, and the room fell silent.

They had thought this fellow spent all his time showing off and never thought about cultivation, never dreaming that in one day, he had gone from the initial stage of the Ancient Saint fourth level to the peak of the Void Immortal realm!

Such a rate of progress... even the founding patriarch would be ashamed and dare not compare!

"Then... should we still bring him back?"

After a moment of silence, an elder couldn't help asking.

Earlier, Elder He and the sect leader had advocated bringing him back to make him cultivate properly and not go out. But now, his cultivation speed was terrifyingly fast. In the face of such speed, everyone else was like trash... Should they still bring him back?

"Since he can cultivate so fast, he must have his own system and method... Let's not bring him back for now. Elder Qiu, follow him discreetly, don't be discovered, and ensure his safety!"

After a pause, Han Jianqiu instructed.

"Yes!" Elder Qiu nodded, turned, and flew out, disappearing into the sky in an instant.

Everyone fell silent again.

To be honest, the shock this future sect leader had given them today was immense.

Unmatched swordsmanship, unmatched cultivation speed...

How many more unknown abilities did he have?

"It seems... his understanding of the blade is also formidable. When he displayed blade intent, it could easily suppress even my sword intent..."

Recalling the events of the day, Elder Bai Ye couldn't help saying.

"Blade intent suppressing sword intent? Tell us more?"

The others looked at him.

Soon, Elder Bai Ye recounted the previous events in detail.

"..." Everyone was speechless again.

Sword techniques, formations, blade techniques... he was strong in everything. How did this fellow manage it?

"Go find Shan Xiaotian..."

After another pause, Sect Leader Han ordered.

Soon, Shan Xiaotian arrived.

"Tell me truthfully, did you learn your signature thrown sword technique from Zhang Xuan?" Han Jianqiu asked.

"Yes. I publicly claim he is my friend, but in reality, he is my teacher..." Knowing he couldn't hide it, Shan Xiaotian said.

"Indeed..."

Han Jianqiu nodded. "Alright, we'll suppress our cultivation and spar with you. Try to use that thrown sword technique as much as possible, so we can see its power!"

"I only learned from my teacher for a few hours, and my understanding is not yet perfect. But if the sect leader wants to spar, I can try." Shan Xiaotian agreed.

"Only a few hours? No matter, we'll go easy on you..." Han Jianqiu smiled slightly.

...

Three minutes later, Shan Xiaotian left the Elder Hall.

Inside the room, the sect leader, Elder He, and the others each had a longsword stuck in their heads. Although not fatal, it had pierced the skin, and blood was flowing freely.

Pulling the swords from their heads, the room fell into a deathly silence.

"After only a few hours of learning... we are no match?"

After who knows how long, Han Jianqiu's voice sounded, hoarse and on the verge of tears.

From Elder Lu Yun's account, they knew that before meeting Zhang Xuan, Shan Xiaotian knew no swordsmanship at all. Yet after only a few hours of teaching, they couldn't beat him at the same level...

As for Bai Ruanqing, after learning for less than half an hour, she could challenge the core disciples and was almost unbeatable...

Was this not too exaggerated?

How could it feel like all these years of hard cultivation had been on the wrong path?

In an instant, the entire Elder Hall was suffocatingly oppressive.

"How about... when he returns, we ask him to give us a lecture?"

Unable to hold back, Elder He said.

Previously, they all thought that even if he had comprehended the Divine Sword Intent, it was only a single powerful sword technique. His true understanding of the sword should be inferior to theirs, who had immersed themselves for countless years. Now it seemed they were far inferior!

Since that was the case...

It was better to set aside their pride and, when he returned, listen to his teachings. Perhaps they could gain even more!

"Alright, when he returns... let him give us a lesson!"

After another long deliberation, Han Jianqiu finally nodded.

...

Unaware that his disguised strength had been revealed by Bai Ruanqing, Zhang Xuan was now looking at the huge city before him, filled with excitement.

The Wuhai City before him was indeed the largest city near the Lingyun Sword Pavilion, even grander than the town where the Master Teacher Hall was located.

Stretching over a thousand kilometers, the massive city, the brilliant formations, and the endless stream of experts all displayed the city's formidable nature.

"The city lord of Wuhai City is an Immortal Lord realm expert, said to be no weaker than my grandfather!"

Seeing his astonishment, Bai Ruanqing said.

Although she had never been here, she had heard her grandfather mention it and was mentally prepared, so she didn't seem particularly surprised.

"Immortal Lord realm expert?"

Zhang Xuan was awed.

No wonder it was a first-rate city on the continent. The strength of the city lord's mansion was evident.

If it required an Immortal Lord to sit in command, there must be many True Immortals here as well.

"Yes!"

Bai Ruanqing responded and looked at him: "Therefore, even though we are disciples of the Lingyun Sword Pavilion, we need to be cautious..."

"Mm!"

With many experts, there were all kinds of people, and no one could guarantee safety.

"Then... Uncle-Master, shall we go to the Wuhai Merchant Guild to complete the appraisal task now?"

Seeing that her uncle-master understood, Bai Ruanqing said no more and looked at him curiously.

"No rush to go to the Wuhai Merchant Guild. Where is the Divine Communication Hall here? Let's first buy a Divine Communication Jade Talisman!"

Zhang Xuan smiled.