"Elder Xu's enthusiasm is hard to refuse. Why hesitate? Take it."
Ling Xiao smiled faintly. Ye Qingchan obediently took hold of the ancient Green Tower sword.
Hum!
Instantly, a clear sword cry resounded throughout the entire Heavenly Sword Immortal Sect.
Even deep within the sect, the Supreme Elders who had been in closed-door cultivation for unknown years suddenly opened their eyes, their gazes turning towards the hall atop the mountain.
"This... this... The divine sword acknowledges its master willingly! The power of Sword Dao Principles!!! Heaven blesses our Heavenly Sword Immortal Sect!!!"
The expressions of the Heavenly Sword Sect elders froze completely.
Then, exclamations of shock erupted throughout the hall.
Everyone stared at the gradually surging sword intent around Ye Qingchan, their eyes filled with indescribable excitement and awe.
A sword path prodigy!
A heaven-sent opportunity!
For a sect to endure through the ages, foundation matters, having top experts matters, but disciples are the very root of inheritance.
Although the Heavenly Sword Immortal Sect now had many powerful experts, the innate talent of its disciples was somewhat lackluster.
And this young girl at the Soul-Awakening Realm was the chosen one all the experts of the Heavenly Sword Sect had been hoping for!!
As long as she could join the Sword Sect, within ten years—no, within five years—the Heavenly Sword Immortal Sect would undoubtedly produce a prodigy disciple who would shake the entire Holy State.
With her, the sect would stand at the peak of the Holy State for the next century.
Of course, if they knew that this wisp of Dao Principle power on Ye Qingchan was merely a strand separated by Ling Xiao, one wonders what expressions these Sword Sect elders would wear.
"Alright, Grand Elder. If there's nothing else, I'll take Qingchan to the Ten Thousand Swords Holy Land."
Ling Xiao smiled faintly.
These old fossils—when he told them about Qingchan's terrifying talent earlier, they were indifferent.
Now they wore these expressions. Did they think they were at an auction, waiting to see the goods before bidding?
"Don't, don't go! Young Master Ling Xiao, since you've taken the trouble to visit our Heavenly Sword Immortal Sect, you must at least stay for a meal! I'll have someone prepare a banquet immediately. I have some century-old immortal wine that nourishes Qi and spirit. Today, we won't stop until we're drunk!"
Elder Xu forced a laugh, grabbing Ling Xiao's arm with a fawning expression.
The grand elder of the Heavenly Sword Immortal Sect, usually cold, aloof, and威严 (dignified) within the sect—when had anyone ever seen him act like this?
Especially the few Sword Sect disciples standing in the hall; their jaws dropped as they stared in disbelief at that humble figure.
Didn't the Grand Elder often say that those who cultivate the sword must walk upright, sit straight, not curry favor with the powerful, and not bow and scrape?
So why now... was his tongue practically hanging out?
"A meal won't be necessary. Next time. Please stay your steps, Elder Xu."
"Young Master Ling Xiao!"
Just then, an aged voice sounded from above the hall.
Immediately, a heart-palpitating sharpness filled the air.
Even with Ling Xiao's realm, he felt a chill in his heart, instinctively circulating his demonic energy to resist the terrifying coldness.
"Sect Master of the Heavenly Sword, Duan Wuyong!"
Ling Xiao's eyes narrowed slightly, but he laughed inwardly.
The reason he had given Ye Qingchan a strand of Dao Principle power was precisely so she would gain the appreciation of this Sword Sect mighty expert and become his disciple.
Throughout the eastern Holy State, Duan Wuyong's sword path attainments were second to none.
Having him personally instruct Ye Qingchan wouldn't waste her talent.
"So it's Sect Master Duan."
Of course, he still needed to secure some resources and status for her.
Otherwise, wouldn't it be letting the Heavenly Sword Immortal Sect off too easily?
"Young Master Ling Xiao is indeed as rumored—divinely handsome and peerless, worthy of being a model genius of our Holy State."
Starting with mutual flattery was customary.
But now, Duan Wuyong's aged eyes held a trace of surprise.
He had long heard of Ling Xiao's fearsome reputation.
But meeting him today, he found this youth didn't seem as utterly useless, spoiled, and tyrannical as the rumors suggested.
Even his words and actions just now were calculated, clearly deliberate.
The purpose was naturally to secure more benefits for Ye Qingchan.
This was a very shrewd youth, decisive and bold.
Not simple.
"What does Young Master Ling Xiao think about having this girl become my personal disciple?"
But no matter what schemes he had, they were futile.
Once Ye Qingchan joined the Heavenly Sword Immortal Sect, she would no longer be considered part of the Ling family.
In the years to come, was he worried she would run off with someone else?
"For Sect Master Duan to personally take a disciple is, of course, Qingchan's great honor. Qingchan, are you willing?"
Ling Xiao knew that in front of this old fox, any acting was unnecessary. It was better to be straightforward and show sincerity.
"If the Young Master is willing, then Qingchan is willing."
Ye Qingchan smiled shyly, lowering her head as she stood before Ling Xiao, the very picture of a demure young maiden.
Seeing this, Duan Wuyong frowned slightly, feeling somewhat puzzled inside.
With a personality like hers, how did she comprehend a strand of Sword Dao Principles?
Everyone knew that a swordsman needed an indomitable momentum to walk far on this path.
But looking at Ye Qingchan's demeanor...
Never mind. The power of Dao Principles couldn't be faked.
Ye Qingchan's lower limit was at least the Divine King Realm.
"Hehe, Sect Master Duan, if Qingchan joins the Heavenly Sword Immortal Sect, what will her status be?"
Ling Xiao nodded, his gaze calm as he looked at Duan Wuyong.
Within a sect, a disciple's status determined the allocation of cultivation resources.
Outer sect disciples might not get a few pills in a year, but inner sect disciples could receive provisions monthly.
If one could be promoted to a core disciple and gain a elder's favor, pills and spiritual treasures could be chosen freely.
Ye Qingchan, coming from the lower realm, naturally didn't understand these rules.
But Ling Xiao wasn't someone who liked to suffer losses.
"Hehe, of course. Tomorrow, I will personally hold a disciple-acceptance ceremony, announcing Qingchan's status as the Holy Maiden of the Sword Sect."
Duan Wuyong casually tossed a bronze ancient token to Ye Qingchan. "This token represents the Sect Master's authority. You may go anywhere within the Heavenly Sword Sect. All disciples who see this token see me."
"Really? Thank you, Senior!"
Ye Qingchan's face lit up with joy.
What was so attractive about going anywhere in the Heavenly Sword Sect? She just wanted to, once her cultivation was successful, be able to descend the mountain freely to find Young Master Ling Xiao.
"Still calling me 'Senior'?"
Ling Xiao glared fiercely at Ye Qingchan. Her face flushed, and she promptly bowed respectfully to Duan Wuyong.
"Master..."
"Mmm, good. From now on, stay by my side and devote yourself to studying the sword path."
Although Duan Wuyong smiled on his face, he felt something wasn't quite right.
This little disciple didn't seem genuinely intent on joining the Sword Sect.
Oh well.
It was normal for her to have distracting thoughts before she had severed her mortal ties.
As long as she stayed by his side, Duan Wuyong was confident that within a few years, he could mold her into a peerless genius whose heart held only the sword!