Take This Trash by Your Side and Get Out!

"Old Man Chou, what did you mean by that? Are you looking down on me?"

Xiao Chen was immediately displeased.

Chou Wantian sneered. "Heh, young man, don't be too hot-blooded. The difficulty of the Sword Dao is far beyond what you can imagine. Whether you possess talent in the Sword Dao or not, you'll know once you come with me and take a test."

He did not hold much hope for Xiao Chen. He had seen plenty of youths like Xiao Chen, who knew neither the height of heaven nor the depth of earth. They thought that because they had some talent in martial cultivation, they would surely excel in the Sword Dao as well.

In truth, they were gravely mistaken. The conditions for becoming a sword cultivator were exceedingly harsh. Peerless sword cultivators all possessed outstanding martial talent, but those with strong martial talent might not necessarily become sword cultivators.

Back then, several Born King Physiques like Xiao Chen's, and even those above King Physiques, had sought to join Sword Immortal Academy, only to fail in the end.

To enter the Sword Dao, one needed not only exceptional martial talent, but also affinity with the Sword Dao, as well as a sword heart that remained unyielding and unbroken despite a hundred setbacks.

The Sword Dao moved ever forward, crushing all in its path.

No matter how powerful the enemy or how arduous the road ahead, I shall cut them down with a single sword. Not even the slightest thought of retreat must arise.

Once one retreated before a powerful foe, that Sword Dao heart would be ruined.

That was why so few people could become sword cultivators, so few were willing to become sword cultivators, and so few sword cultivators could make it to the end.

Once one set foot upon the path of the sword, there was no turning back. One had to carve out an invincible road.

The risk was simply too great. Though once successful, one would be invincible among those of the same rank and able to sweep through a thousand troops.

Yet through the long ages, how many had ever become gods with swords in hand and shattered the void?

Far more simply vanished among the masses and fell in silence!

Led by Chou Wantian, Xiao Chen soon arrived at Slaying Heaven Courtyard.

"Old Man Chou, didn't you say your senior brother hated you to the bone? Why did you bring me to Slaying Heaven Courtyard?"

Xiao Chen was puzzled.

"The final small fragment of Sword Spirit Stone in Sword Immortal Academy is in my senior brother's hands. If you want to become a sword cultivator, you must obtain his approval."

Chou Wantian looked at Slaying Heaven Courtyard before him, his expression complicated.

Back then, he and Lin Jiansan had been as close as hands and feet. They ate and slept together. Who would have thought that after that incident, they had now become strangers?

Life was ever-changing. It truly made one sigh.

"Chou Wantian, why are you here again?"

Not long after Chou Wantian and Xiao Chen stopped at the entrance of Slaying Heaven Courtyard, the sound of something tearing through the air rang out. A cold and beautiful young woman suddenly appeared before them.

She was breathtakingly beautiful, dressed in an ice-blue gown. Her willow waist was slender, her chest was full, and her eyes were a deep azure, carrying a faint air of aloofness. She looked at Xiao Chen and Chou Wantian with obvious impatience.

Xiao Chen was slightly stunned when he saw her.

This girl was quite something. She was even three parts more beautiful than Ye Qingxuan, one of the Barren North's ten great beauties!

To think such a stunning woman could be found in this run-down Sword Immortal Academy—what a surprise.

"Heh, Qingxian, tell your grandfather that I have found a talent for Sword Immortal Academy. Ask him to come out and meet us."

Chou Wantian smiled at Lin Qingxian, paying no heed to her earlier rudeness.

Though he had rarely set foot in Slaying Heaven Courtyard over the past few decades, he occasionally recommended some talents and had dealt with the young woman before him several times.

The young woman was named Lin Qingxian, Lin Jiansan's granddaughter.

Ten years ago, her father, Lin Chongzhen, had sent her to Sword Immortal Academy.

Lin Qingxian's background seemed far from ordinary. Back then, when Lin Chongzhen escorted her to Sword Immortal Academy, he had been pursued by several Martial Grandmaster giants along the way and had nearly died on the spot.

He guessed that whoever wanted to deal with Lin Chongzhen must possess a status so high it was terrifying.

After all, Martial Grandmasters were second only to Martial Kings. Anyone capable of commanding Martial Grandmasters to act was at least a Martial King, perhaps even above one.

"Chou Wantian, haven't I told you not to keep bringing trash to Slaying Heaven Courtyard? Of all the people you've brought over these years, which one could be called talented? Calling them idiots would be more accurate!"

Lin Qingxian glanced at Xiao Chen and spoke coldly.

Over the years, Chou Wantian would recommend talents to Slaying Heaven Courtyard every so often, claiming they were peerless sword cultivator prospects and the hope of reviving the academy. Yet after so many years, let alone Sword Dao geniuses, not a single person he recommended could even stir the Sword Spirit Stone.

Their martial talent had even been frighteningly poor. Not one had reached above Earth Rank.

Lin Jiansan had initially held some hope for him, but later, he became more and more disappointed. Now, he had completely despaired of Chou Wantian.

The Sword Dao had declined throughout Great Xia. Where could there still be any Sword Dao geniuses?

Even if there truly were, why would they join the already utterly dilapidated Sword Immortal Academy?

"Qingxian, this time is different! Look at this kid—he carries himself with grandeur. One look tells you he is no creature of a shallow pond!"

Chou Wantian pointed at Xiao Chen as he spoke.

Lin Qingxian sized Xiao Chen up and down, then frowned slightly. "His looks are indeed passable, but cultivating the Sword Dao requires a heart that charges ever forward. This man has delicate skin and tender flesh. One look tells you he was raised in luxury. How could he possibly become a sword cultivator?"

Xiao Chen's face immediately darkened at Lin Qingxian's assessment.

Why was this girl judging people by their appearance?

"Heh, Qingxian, that isn't right. This kid may look somewhat refined and weak, but his martial talent is astonishing. He can be considered someone worth cultivating!"

"Astonishing? How astonishing? Profound Realm? You should hurry up and take this genius of yours away from Slaying Heaven Courtyard!"

The impatience on Lin Qingxian's face grew increasingly apparent.

"Qingxian, trust me one more time."

"Trust you again? How many times have we trusted you already? And what about you? You always bring heaps of garbage and trash here to fool us!"

Lin Qingxian frowned and shot Xiao Chen a disdainful glance.

Xiao Chen: "???"

Why was she taking her anger out on him?

What did the trash Old Man Chou had brought back before have to do with him?

"Chou Wantian, take this trash by your side and get the hell out of Slaying Heaven Courtyard!"

Chou Wantian was about to explain when a cold shout suddenly came from nearby. In the next instant, a tall old man appeared soundlessly before Chou Wantian.

The old man had white hair draped over his shoulders, a square face, tiger-like eyes, and an exceptionally terrifying Sword Qi swirling around him. Simply standing there gave off an incomparably dreadful sense of oppression. He was Chou Wantian's senior brother, Lin Jiansan.

"Senior Brother, you finally agreed to come out and see me!"

Chou Wantian's expression was complicated when he saw Lin Jiansan.

"Where did you find this kid? Did you trick him into coming again?"

Lin Jiansan looked at Xiao Chen, his expression cold.

Chou Wantian smiled and shook his head. "I recruited him at the Barren North Academy Entrance Examination. This kid wanted to join on his own!"

"The kid joined of his own accord? Is there something wrong with his head?"

Lin Jiansan asked in surprise, shifting his gaze to Xiao Chen.

Xiao Chen's eye twitched uncontrollably. "Senior, ever since I was young, my dream has been to become a sword cultivator, ride a sword through the nine heavens, and slay demons and devils!"

"Kid, I have to admit, you have some ambition. But this old man must pour a basin of cold water over you. To become a sword cultivator, one must be a one-in-ten-thousand genius. Setting aside Sword Dao talent, one's martial talent must at the very least reach Earth Rank. Such a requirement is not something an ordinary person like you can meet!"

Lin Jiansan said indifferently.

From Xiao Chen's willingness to join Sword Immortal Academy alone, he was one hundred percent certain that this was a piece of trash.

Who with even the slightest bit of talent would join Sword Immortal Academy?