740. Before and After

Aboard the flying boat.

Zhao Kuan had been thoroughly subdued and leaned crookedly against the side of the boat.

"Not going to tell me what you're thinking?" Gu Qingshan asked.

Zhao Kuan simply shut his mouth.

"Then I'm sorry," Gu Qingshan said regretfully. "I'll just have to do it myself."

Gu Qingshan reached out and gently pressed a hand to Zhao Kuan's forehead.

Soul Searching Technique, activate!

A streak of light flashed across Zhao Kuan's forehead and sent Gu Qingshan's hand flying.

Golden, mysterious markings appeared on Zhao Kuan's forehead. A faint, imposing aura radiated from the golden light.

These were divine runes!

Zhao Kuan spat out a mouthful of blood and laughed loudly. "Shen Yang, you want to search my soul? Dream on!"

Gu Qingshan's expression changed. He said in a low voice, "So you've sided with the gods! You're already the sect's foremost disciple, and the next Sect Leader. Why would you do this?"

Zhao Kuan said bitterly, "To hell with being Sect Leader! Master only wanted me to continue the Firewood for the sect. He wanted me to toil day and night for it."

He suddenly roared, "He wouldn't even teach me the Sword Immortal's art! He wouldn't even teach me the Sword Immortal's art!"

"Shen Yang, can you understand how I feel? Every time I see other Sword Immortals controlling their Flying Swords while I can only fight with a sword in my hand—and I'm the sect master's personal eldest disciple, with everyone watching me, and I still have to keep smiling pleasantly—can you understand how that feels?"

Gu Qingshan paused, then explained gently, "To become a Sword Immortal, you have to find your own path. No one else can teach it to you, because it's their path, not yours. How can you not understand that?"