Chapter 543: Abstention

While they were discussing sword techniques inside, the people outside were pacing in anxiety.

"Hall Master Kang, Master Zhang has been inside for nearly an hour and still hasn't come out. Could it be... that Elder Hong killed him in a fit of rage?"

Master Su looked anxious.

From the time Zhang Xuan entered the room until now, nearly an hour had passed. Not only had he not come out, but not even half a word had appeared on the wall. No one knew exactly what was happening. Not only was he anxious, but everyone in the hall was baffled.

"Don't worry. Even if things turned unpleasant, if they fought, they would have displayed techniques... Since not a single number has appeared, it means no one did that..." Consoling them, Hall Master Kang also frowned, his eyes full of confusion.

Even if Zhang Xuan didn't understand the rules and acted recklessly, Elder Hong wouldn't! He was a man of one or two hundred years old; how could he attack a dignified master teacher in front of so many people over a trivial matter?

Besides, if they fought, numbers would surely appear. Now there was no movement at all, as if the two had gone into the room and fallen fast asleep. What on earth was happening?

"Hall Master, maybe... you should go in and take a look!" Master Ling also looked over.

Waiting like this was no solution. Going in to see would at least let them know what had happened.

"Alright!" After hesitating for a moment, Hall Master Kang nodded. "You wait here. I'll go in alone. Even if something happens, it'll be easier to handle."

Master Su and Master Ling acknowledged. Hall Master Kang took a deep breath and was about to push the door open when he heard the door creak, and Zhang Xuan and Elder Hong walked out side by side.

Both were neatly dressed, with smiles on their faces, showing no signs of discord.

Everyone exchanged glances.

So you two didn't fight after all! If you didn't fight, why didn't you come out? Making so many of us wait?

Elder Wu, Elder Bai, and Elder Yun also looked at each other, their eyes full of confusion.

Based on their experience, they had thought that even if they didn't fight, Elder Hong would be in a sorry state. Instead, the two were chatting and laughing, with no displeasure.

Could it be that this Master Zhang had changed his ways?

Having treated them so harshly, yet he changed his ways with Elder Hong... All three were deeply skeptical.

"Elder Hong, what is this..."

Hall Master Kang also looked over in surprise.

"Oh, nothing!"

Elder Hong shook his head, turned to look at the young man beside him, still unable to suppress the shock and admiration in his heart.

He had thought that the fellow had only seen the flaws in two moves, but through the deep conversation just now, he realized that the other's understanding of cultivation had reached a vast and profound level. Any casual guidance was immensely beneficial. His proud Red Lotus Nine Swords, under the other's analysis, were riddled with flaws and loopholes everywhere!

When used against peers of the same level, it was imposing and effective, but once encountering a truly formidable expert, it would be broken in an instant, utterly unable to withstand!

If he really used such a ultimate technique to challenge others, the opponent would probably be unharmed while he himself would be killed by the backlash.

Creating a martial technique that kills oneself... if word got out, it would make everyone laugh their teeth out, and his lifelong reputation would be washed away.

Knowing this, he humbly sought advice for nearly an hour. Through the other's guidance, he gained a deeper understanding of this sword technique and benefited greatly. If he were to revise it again, he was sure that before long, he could create a more perfect and suitable ultimate move.

"Nothing? Then... is there a result for the selection?"

Seeing that he was unwilling to say more, Hall Master Kang had to shift the topic to the selection.

"There is a result. I'll announce it now!"

Elder Hong nodded and smiled slightly. "After my assessment just now, the results of the fourth round are as follows: Luo Xi and Du Hu blocked three swords, tied for fifth place; Feng Mosheng and Fu Xiaochen both blocked five swords, tied for third; Jun Ruohuan blocked six swords, second place; first place is... Master Zhang!"

"Master Zhang first?"

"Him first again? Didn't they not fight?"

Hearing this result, everyone was stunned, full of curiosity.

The previous ones like Jun Ruohuan had left their results on the wall for all to see, but this Master Zhang hadn't even displayed a single move. How could he be first?

"I object!"

Young Master Ruohuan stepped forward. If it were a sword duel and numbers far surpassing his appeared on the wall, he would accept it. But without even competing, to be declared first—that was hardly fair!

It was like scoring 99 on an exam; if the other scored 100, losing was fine. But... not even taking the exam—why should he be first?

"Object?" Elder Hong frowned.

"Exactly. Within the time it takes to burn an incense stick, I comprehended the Red Lotus Nine Swords to the peak of the Proficiency realm. In terms of sword techniques alone, I managed to block six strikes from the Elder. I want to ask—if he is first, what level has he reached? Has he reached Minor Accomplishment?"

Saying this, Young Master Ruohuan turned to look at the young man not far away and gritted his teeth. "I don't believe you can comprehend this martial technique to Minor Accomplishment within the time it takes to burn an incense stick... Unless you compete with me now, using only sword techniques, and defeat me!"

"Defeat you?" Zhang Xuan shook his head. "Better not. I don't want to bully you."

"Oh my!"

"That's too arrogant!"

Hearing his words, everyone exchanged glances.

Young Master Ruohuan was, after all, a four-star master teacher, a super powerhouse at the early stage of Mortal Transformation Fourth Layer, and skilled with the sword. When he challenged, this fellow actually said... he didn't want to bully him!

You, a fellow skilled with the spear, saying that—aren't you afraid of bragging until your teeth fall out?

"You..." Young Master Ruohuan's face turned red and white, about to explode. "If you don't want to compete with me, that's fine. Just admit that you comprehended the Red Lotus Nine Swords to Minor Accomplishment within the time it takes to burn an incense stick, and I'll voluntarily concede without another word."

As long as he admitted to comprehending to a level higher than mine, trusting in the honor of a master teacher, I naturally wouldn't press further.

"Minor Accomplishment..."

Zhang Xuan shook his head again. "I haven't practiced a single move of the Red Lotus Nine Swords. I haven't even reached the入门 (beginner) level. How could I have reached Minor Accomplishment?"

"Haven't practiced?"

Not only was Young Master Ruohuan stunned, but everyone else was also dumbfounded.

Haven't practiced a single move? Then on what basis was he judged first?

Wasn't the favoritism too blatant?

Hall Master Kang, Master Su, and the others were also completely confused.

They had known Elder Hong for many years and knew him to be fair and upright, unlikely to engage in favoritism. But... Master Zhang hadn't even learned the technique. How could he be judged first?

This was about the selection for the Master Teacher Competition. Wasn't this too frivolous?

"Could it be... that Elder Hong has taken Master Zhang as his student? To allow his student to participate in the competition, he deliberately threw the match?"

"That can't be!"

"If not, why did the two stay in the room for an hour, without even practicing, and then directly declare him first?"

The crowd murmured.

Master Zhang and Elder Hong didn't know each other at first, but suddenly their attitude changed drastically. If there was no relationship, no one would believe it.

"Elder Hong, what exactly is going on?"

Unable to hold back, Hall Master Kang looked over.

The others also focused their gazes.

"Take him as a student?"

Hearing the crowd's speculation, Elder Hong's mouth twitched.

You really dare to think!

Even if I wanted to take him... I would need to have the ability!

"Don't guess wildly. The truth is, I wanted to become Master Zhang's student, but he didn't agree!" Shaking his head, he spoke the truth.

"Become his... student? And he didn't agree?"

"Is Elder Hong joking?"

Everyone's mouths fell open, and the entire hall erupted in uproar.

Elder Hong was known as the foremost in techniques and martial skills in the Ten Thousand Kingdoms City. The ultimate moves he created were practiced by many master teachers. In fact... at least half of the master teachers in the hall were his half-students, owing him a teacher's respect.

Such an extraordinary figure actually wanted to become this fellow's student?

If that were true, wouldn't at least half the hall become his grand-students?

And most importantly... this fellow had refused...

Was there no mistake?

"Master Zhang has exceptional talent. His understanding of cultivation has reached an unfathomable and admirable level. Although he hasn't practiced my Red Lotus Nine Swords, his depth of understanding is unmatched. Even I am far behind. I just consulted him for an hour and feel I have benefited greatly!"

Elder Hong said solemnly.

"Consulted?"

Everyone looked at each other, feeling their minds couldn't keep up, utterly bewildered.

Didn't you spend time creating the Red Lotus Nine Swords and cultivate it to the Great Accomplishment realm? You consulted a fellow who only studied it for the time it takes to burn an incense stick? And even wanted to become his student, benefiting greatly...

How did this sound like a joke?

Elder Wu, Elder Bai, and the others also widened their eyes.

At first, seeing the two come out safely, they thought this Zhang Xuan wasn't causing trouble. Now it seemed they were too naive. He wasn't not causing trouble; he had captured Elder Hong's heart and was about to become his teacher!

At most, they had been injured, but this fellow... if he really became a teacher, his previous fame and status would vanish like smoke.

"This round tests understanding of cultivation. Both looked for the time it takes to burn an incense stick. Young Master Ruohuan only managed six strikes against me... while Master Zhang could guide me and act as my teacher... Even if he didn't practice, ranking first shouldn't be a problem, should it?"

Elder Hong looked at Jun Ruohuan not far away.

"This..."

Young Master Ruohuan's body twitched, and his face wore an expression as if he wanted to cry.

Given Elder Hong's status, he couldn't be lying. That meant it was most likely true. Both looked for the same amount of time, but he only reached Proficiency and was smug and self-righteous, while the other completely understood and could teach the creator of the technique...

Damn!

Where did this freak come from?

Too abnormal!

No wonder he said earlier that competing with him was bullying... He himself could only last six moves against Elder Hong. Facing someone who could be Elder Hong's teacher, if he agreed to the challenge, wasn't that bullying?

"Since the results are out, let's proceed to the next round of assessment."

Seeing his student being tormented to the point of collapse, Hall Master Kang had to speak up again to interrupt the topic.

"The next assessment is also the final round of the selection, which involves pointing out flaws and deficiencies in the cultivation process..."

Just as he was about to continue, he heard a voice and saw Zhang Xuan looking over.

"For this round... I abstain."