Jin State Inspector Commander, The Person in the Painting

Inside the main hall of the Four Thunder Sword Sect.

Daoist Siji looked at everyone calmly.

"Although this Qingzhou Sword Dao Convention isn't greatly related to the Ten Nations Academy, I've received secret intelligence that Jin State has dispatched hundreds of Sword Dao Masters to investigate two matters."

"The first is the case of the lost Seven Treasures Vase."

"The second is about the Jin State Academy."

"The Ten Nations Academy will be opening soon, selecting outstanding talents from the ten nations. However, that will take some time. Aside from some pre-selected talents for the academies, the Jin State monarch intends to choose some promising individuals from the thirty-three states and send them to the Jin State Academy."

"In about a year's time, ten true prodigies will be cultivated and sent to the Ten Nations Academy."

Daoist Siji explained the entire situation, word by word.

The expressions of everyone in the hall showed immense astonishment.

"Sect Master, so you're saying that the Jin State imperial court will send Sword Dao experts to patrol and inspect during this Qingzhou Sword Dao Convention, selecting good seeds?"

An elder understood and said this.

"That's correct." Daoist Siji nodded, then continued, "And I already know who it is."

Daoist Siji's expression was serious.

His words caused an uproar.

"Who is it?"

"In the past, Jin State did send many capable individuals to search for outstanding talents within Jin State, to recruit them for the academy, all in the hope of entering the Ten Nations Academy. But these capable individuals are all arrogant by nature and skilled at disguise."

"Sometimes they go to a place and even live incognito for decades, not caring about fame or fortune, nor wealth and status, dedicating themselves wholeheartedly to serving Jin State. Sect Master, how did you find out who the inspector is?"

The elders were completely shocked.

Among the ten nations, Jin State might not be the strongest, but it was still a nation.

In the cultivation world, the relationship between sects and the imperial court was incredibly delicate. The imperial court permitted sects to be established, and the various sects accepted their categorization. As long as it didn't involve core interests, they cooperated to maintain peace in the human realm.

However, the imperial court's status was slightly higher than that of immortal sects. It wasn't that the sects were inferior, but rather that they were completely different. Unless it was an immortal sect that transcended above all others, a sect, no matter how numerous its disciples, would not exceed a hundred thousand. In contrast, an imperial court was far more than just a hundred thousand people.

Of course, it primarily depended on which sect the imperial court was facing.

If it were Jin State's foremost immortal sect, the Jin State imperial court would naturally show it respect. But a sect like Qingzhou's top sect, while having some influence, was not enough to surpass the imperial court.

In the eyes of the Four Thunder Sword Sect, the Jin State imperial court was a behemoth. It was difficult for the Four Thunder Sword Sect to know anything about the actions of such an entity. Yet, unexpectedly, Daoist Siji had discovered the existence of the 'inspector.'

How could this not excite the elders?

To know in advance, it wasn't about bribing the person, but even just not offending them would be quite good. If they could win the favor of this esteemed individual, it would be nothing but beneficial for the Four Thunder Sword Sect.

After all, these inspectors were all top experts, not some incompetent individuals.

The elders were shocked.

Daoist Siji remained silent and simply extended his hand.

Instantly, a scroll appeared in his hand.

Then, the scroll unfolded, revealing a landscape painting of a mountain peak at sunset.

The painting was beautiful. The elders present had all lived for hundreds of years. Besides cultivation, they often sought enjoyment in other ways.

While not necessarily masters of everything, they possessed some literary cultivation in areas like music, chess, poetry, and painting. Naturally, they could immediately tell that the painting was exquisite.

"The artistry is superb, even worthy of a national master. The sunset on the peaks is lifelike. Especially the person in the painting, possessing the etherealness, the indifference, and the aesthetic beauty of a sword cultivator. A good painting, a good painting."

"No, no, no, it's not just the painting that's good. Look at the person in the painting. They seem like a Sword Immortal. There's no sharpness at all, but I feel a sense of sharpness. This contains Sword Intent."

"Hiss, I initially thought the painting was just decent, but after hearing you say it, it really seems that way."

"The more I look at this painting, the more astonishing it becomes. The person in the painting doesn't show their full face, but even just a partial profile perfectly captures the demeanor of a Sword Immortal."

"Sect Master, what does this mean?"

"What does this painting represent? Could it be?"

The elders were filled with curiosity.

Some elders seemed to have guessed something.

"That's right. The man in the scroll is the Sword Dao expert sent by the Jin State monarch."

Daoist Siji's expression was serious.

His words caused waves of shock.

"Really?"

"Sect Master, what's the basis for that?"

"Yes, this person indeed looks like an expert, but he seems so young. It seems a bit unlikely, doesn't it?"

"Right, Sect Master, have you misunderstood?"

Everyone spoke up, finding it somewhat unrealistic.

However, Daoist Siji shook his head, his gaze towards the elders filled with disappointment.

"Superficial, superficial, you are all too superficial."

Daoist Siji felt a bit helpless, disappointment showing in his eyes.

The elders were a bit bewildered but didn't dare to say anything. After all, Daoist Siji held a very high position in their hearts, and this painting was indeed extraordinary. They were very curious.

"Do you know who painted this?"

Daoist Siji asked.

"Qinglian Hermit. I've heard of this person. He's a famous talent in the Jin State. It's said the Jin State's ruler particularly favors his works, though he's recently disappeared from public view."

An elder, who knew a little, revealed the painter's background.

"Yes," Daoist Siji nodded, then said with a serious expression.

"The painter is Qinglian Hermit. Although I haven't met him, his talent is immense. Not only does the Jin State's ruler enjoy his poetry, but it's also said that some of Jin State's influential figures particularly admire his writings."

"And Qinglian Hermit completely disappeared half a year ago. Think about it, where did he go?"

Daoist Siji unraveled the mystery.

"Could it be he joined a small sect to cultivate?"

An elder ventured a guess.

"Impossible. Qinglian Hermit is incredibly famous, how could he join a small sect? If he were willing to join my Four Thunder Sword Sect, I would gladly overstep my authority to take him as a disciple."

"Indeed, how could someone so talented join a sect?"

"Oh, I know, Sect Master. Qinglian Hermit has been granted an official position by the court, hasn't he?"

Many rejected the first elder's guess, while others believed he had been recruited by the court.

At this, Daoist Siji nodded.

"That's right. Qinglian Hermit is exceptionally talented and admired by Jin State's influential figures, so it's natural he was granted an official position by the Jin State's ruler."

"And in the Jin State, there is a peerless swordsman who was once a genius at the Ten Nations Academy. However, for some unknown reason, he was expelled by the Ten Nations Academy and eventually came to the Jin State, becoming the Inspector Commander."

"This person is extremely extraordinary and highly valued by the ruler. After Qinglian Hermit was granted an official position, he clearly met with this person. Afterward, Qinglian Hermit was likely awestruck by the other's demeanor, so he painted a picture for him."

"Of course, it's also possible that the Jin State's ruler asked Qinglian Hermit to paint it for him."

"And this expert dislikes showing his face, but he couldn't refuse the ruler, so he only allowed a profile to be drawn."

Daoist Siji's analysis was thorough and logical.

But finally, a voice filled with doubt rang out.

"Sect Master, all of this is your speculation. Is there any concrete proof?"

It was an elder. Although he also believed Daoist Siji, he felt something was amiss.

However, Daoist Siji let out a cold laugh, then slapped the painting.

The next moment, a terrifying Sword Momentum appeared.