Peerless Talent

"Senior Sword Saint, this is Tian Gang's child, Li Hao."

While the maid went to fetch Bian Ruxue, He Jianlan introduced him to the white-haired elder beside her. "Speaking of it, Hao'er's name was bestowed by the Yu Emperor himself. What do you think of this child?"

At the mention of the Yu Emperor, the white-haired elder glanced at the woman and immediately saw through her little scheme. He felt slightly displeased, but said nothing as he sized up the child before him.

Li Hao was also looking up at him.

When he heard First Madam's form of address for the old man, he was somewhat startled and understood why Uncle Fu had reacted so strongly.

Earlier, while searching through chess manuals in the Listening Rain Pavilion, he had also come across some interesting tales from the martial world and accounts of great figures.

Among the martial figures recorded over the past century, only three had been hailed as Sword Saints.

One resided in the Sword Hermitage in the south, one had retired to Yellow Sand Green Lake in the Northern Desert, and the last was a dragon whose head was seen but never its tail.

All three had attained mastery in the sword, shaking the world with their blades and earning the revered title of Sword Saint.

Which of the three Sword Saints was stronger or weaker had also been a subject of endless debate among idle people for the past century.

His own Third Uncle possessed astonishing talent in the Sword Dao. With a single sword strike, he had split apart half the martial world and Demon Forest of Jing Province, yet he still had not been granted the title of Sword Saint. That showed just how terrifying the old man before him must be.

Which of the three was he? The old and young pair's gazes met, and Li Hao immediately saw the deeply hidden sword intent in the elder's eyes, condensed like an ocean, like an abyss.

Yet that sword intent was covered beneath those black, tranquil eyes. Had Li Hao not possessed a second-stage understanding of the Sword Dao, he would have been unable to glimpse it.

"I heard Tian Gang's child failed at Foundation Establishment and Blood Fusion, and possesses no talent for martial cultivation?"

Sword Wudao looked indifferently at the child by his feet. The Qilin Child of the Divine General Residence might be an existence of utmost nobility in the eyes of the world, second only to imperial descendants, but in his eyes, he was nothing remarkable. There was even less need to flatter a child.

He Jianlan's expression stiffened slightly, and she nodded.

"That is correct. That is why I wished for Senior Sword Saint to examine whether this child has any talent for sword practice. If he can cultivate his body and practice the sword in the future, he can be considered capable of serving the nation and guarding a region for Great Yu."

At the mention of guarding a region, Sword Wudao's gaze shifted, and his eyes immediately softened somewhat.

Given his status, as long as the older generation of the Li Family did not emerge, he had no need to care about the thoughts of these second-generation members and juniors.

Yet the Li Family's glorious achievements over countless generations truly commanded respect. Especially in the past several decades, when border wars had occasionally erupted, six of the Li Family's Nine Sons had died in battle, all upon the battlefield. That alone was enough to inspire solemn reverence. "Let us take a look together later," Sword Wudao said calmly.

He Jianlan was delighted and nodded.

Soon, Xue Jian brought Bian Ruxue before the group. Faced with the mass of adults, the little girl was clearly nervous.

Out of habit, she stood behind Li Hao, using him to hide half her body.

She had seen such a scene before. Back then, it had been during Li Hao's Foundation Establishment and Bone Measurement. Only afterward, the looks in those adults' eyes had made her feel sad.

"Senior Sword Saint, this is the swordsmanship prodigy I had Bai Jing mention to you."

Once Bian Ruxue arrived, the military elder at the side stepped forward in small strides and spoke respectfully.

Sword Wudao nodded slightly. He had come mainly because his third disciple had persistently pleaded with him, describing the little girl of the Divine General Residence as something almost mythical. He, too, cherished talent, and so had descended from the Sword Hermitage to take a trip through this flourishing age.

"Tenth level of the Power Through Realm, complete perfection. Her bones are full and strong. Not bad."

Sword Wudao saw through the little girl's cultivation realm at a glance, and satisfaction appeared in his eyes. He had heard that she possessed a Ninth Grade Battle Body, an absolutely supreme aptitude. He would not need to worry much about her future cultivation.

"Little girl, use your most skillful sword technique and demonstrate it for me," Sword Wudao said.

Bian Ruxue looked at the unfamiliar yet imposing old man, feeling somewhat nervous. Instinctively, she glanced at Li Hao.

Li Hao understood that Xue'er's opportunity had arrived. He immediately smiled and gently pushed her forward. "Don't be afraid, don't be nervous. I'm right here beside you."

With Li Hao's encouragement, much of Bian Ruxue's timidity dispersed, and she nodded. The little girl immediately walked to one side. Without needing He Jianlan's signal, the others consciously and obediently made space for her.

Very soon, Bian Ruxue began to wield her sword. It was like snow, like a cascading waterfall; her movements were light as a startled swan, and her swordsmanship was practiced and nimble, carrying several traces of a return to simplicity.

That charm was instantly caught by Sword Wudao, who had immersed himself in the Sword Dao for nearly a century. The elder's sharp, narrow eyes, like sword edges, suddenly widened a little, and undisguisable delight appeared in their depths.

This was far more than mere talent in the Sword Dao. She was simply a swordsmanship prodigy rarely seen in a hundred years! At her age, cultivating a Superior Sword Art to the point of perfection was already enough to rival his most outstanding disciple. Yet she even possessed several hints of Supreme Perfection's spiritual grace.

What a peerless seedling for sword practice! "Hahaha..." Sword Wudao could not help laughing. His hearty voice shook the dead leaves from the nearby trees, making them rustle down.

Worth it—far too worth it!

This trip through the mortal world had not been in vain.

Hearing the resounding laughter of this Sword Saint, the people around them immediately knew that from this moment onward, the little girl's fate had completely soared into the skies.

Although she was already incomparably noble within the Divine General Residence, envied by the world, meeting a renowned master like a Sword Saint meant she had truly climbed to the summit. In the future, she might become a household name, leaving her name behind for ten generations!

In an instant, countless complicated gazes in the courtyard converged upon the little girl holding the sword.

Bian Ruxue stopped her sword and, sensing all those eyes gathered upon her, nervously looked toward Li Hao.

Li Hao merely flashed her a toothy grin and raised a thumb.

Bian Ruxue knew what that gesture meant. It was praise, telling her she had done wonderfully.

The little girl relaxed as well and broke into a radiant smile.

"Your recommendation was excellent, excellent indeed!"

Sword Wudao, who had earlier worn a stern expression and carried an aura of authority, now laughed as he patted the military elder beside him on the shoulder. If not for the man's old acquaintance with his third disciple and his vigorous recommendation, he would never have picked up such a peerless sword embryo for nothing.

"You flatter me, Senior. It is Xue'er's blessing to be accepted as the Sword Saint's disciple," the military elder said, overwhelmed by the favor.

Though the two appeared similar on the surface, both looking like elders in their sixties, their actual ages and statuses were worlds apart.

Sword Wudao smiled, in an excellent mood. He walked over to the little girl, bent down, and said kindly, "Little girl, you like swords, don't you? How about I take you away to cultivate?"

Bian Ruxue was slightly stunned and asked, "Where?"

"The Sword Hermitage."

Sword Wudao smiled as he spoke the name of that sacred land longed for by swordsmen across the world. "I will teach you sword practice there and give you the finest sword arts."

Bian Ruxue did not understand. She only asked, "Is it far?"

"It is roughly Nine Thousand Miles south from here. For you, that counts as far," Sword Wudao said with a smile.

Bian Ruxue immediately looked toward Li Hao in the distance and asked, "Brother Hao, are you going too?"

Only then did Sword Wudao realize that he had forgotten about another child.

He Jianlan stepped forward at just the right moment, smiling serenely. "Senior Sword Saint, you have also forgotten to examine Hao'er's talent in the Sword Dao. I heard that he, too, possesses quite a bit of spiritual aptitude for the Sword Dao."

"Yes, Senior."

Li Fu, standing nearby, was excited. Seizing the chance, he hurriedly said, "When Xue'er practices the sword, the young master often watches from the side and even gives her some rather good advice. Though the young master has never cultivated before, I believe he seems to have his own understanding and talent for the Sword Dao."

Sword Wudao was somewhat surprised. He glanced at Li Hao, and his brows suddenly furrowed slightly. Yet with He Jianlan beside him, he immediately said, "Fine. Give him a sword and let him demonstrate. Any sword move will do."

"Many thanks, Senior Sword Saint!"

Li Fu was overjoyed and thanked him excitedly. Then he turned to Bian Ruxue. "Miss Xue'er, please lend your sword to the young master."

Bian Ruxue obediently nodded and handed her sword to Li Hao.