A powerful Sword Momentum filled the entire main hall.
However, this was not the Four Thunder Sword Intent, but the Sword Momentum within the painting.
The appearance of this Sword Momentum brought an indescribable pressure upon everyone present.
The next moment, Daoist Siji withdrew his spiritual power, and the Sword Momentum vanished without a trace.
"Do you still think I guessed wrongly?"
Daoist Siji asked calmly.
The main hall was silent, so quiet that a falling needle could be heard.
No one dared question Daoist Siji any longer.
"Hermit Qinglian's Art of Painting and Calligraphy has truly reached a transcendent realm. To actually imprint Sword Momentum into a painting—admirable, truly admirable."
"No, it is not Hermit Qinglian's Art of Painting and Calligraphy that is impressive. It is the person in the painting who is impressive. If not for his powerful Sword Momentum, how could Hermit Qinglian possibly imprint it into the scroll?"
"That is right. The person in this painting is terrifying beyond measure. Simply standing there, he could radiate such frightening Sword Momentum. One cannot help but be convinced."
The elders' hearts pounded in terror. The Sword Momentum just now had not been particularly terrifying, but what shocked them was the ability to imprint Sword Momentum into a painting. That was what was truly frightening.
There were only two possibilities for creating such an effect.
The first was that the painter's skill had reached a miraculous, heaven-wrought level.
The second was that the person in the portrait had condensed Supreme Sword Intent, allowing his Sword Momentum to spill outward.
But if it was the first possibility, then Daoist Siji's deduction had gone wrong.
If it was the second possibility, then Daoist Siji's deduction was completely correct.
Yet Daoist Siji shook his head again.
"You still have not discovered the key point."
Apart from disappointment, there was no other expression in Daoist Siji's eyes.
As soon as those words were spoken, the elders were utterly bewildered.
There were more details?
In an instant, dozens of elders stared fixedly at the painting.
After the time it took half an incense stick to burn, an elder finally understood.
"I understand. I understand now."
He shouted loudly, crying out in astonishment.
"What do you understand?"
"What have you understood?"
"Damn it, Elder Wang, if you know, then say it already! Why are you still keeping us in suspense?"
"What I hate most in this life is people keeping us in suspense. Hurry up and say it! I'm dying of anxiety."
The elders were somewhat dumbfounded.
They truly did not know what detail they had missed. Now that they heard someone had figured it out, each of them was burning with impatience.
"There is no spiritual energy within this painting."
Elder Wang pointed at the scroll and said excitedly.
In an instant, the main hall fell completely silent.
Only then did Daoist Siji reveal a hint of gratification. At last, someone had noticed the detail.
"No spiritual energy?"
"This! This! This!"
"I understand. I understand too."
"There is no spiritual energy in the painting, which means the painter was not a cultivator—or rather, he did not use spiritual energy to imprint the Sword Momentum into it. In other words, the powerful Sword Momentum displayed by this painting has nothing to do with Hermit Qinglian. It is simply because the person in the painting is too strong."
"So that is how it is, so that is how it is. No wonder the Sect Leader was so certain that the person in the painting was the Inspector Commander. So that was the reason."
At this moment, everyone was completely enlightened.
Since there was no spiritual energy within the painting, it could be concluded that the Sword Momentum had not been imprinted through spiritual power. Rather, it had been the powerful Sword Momentum radiating from the person in the painting that had been imprinted into it.
This meant that the person in the painting was a peerless master of the Sword Dao.
Coupled with what Daoist Siji had said, everyone now believed him completely.
"The Sect Leader sees through every detail."
"As expected of the Sect Leader. From just a few details, he could infer so much information."
"The Sect Leader is truly a divine man."
Everyone spoke with both flattery and sincere admiration.
The Sword Momentum within the painting was not particularly powerful. It was mainly because Daoist Siji had infused it with some spiritual power that it could exert such suppression upon them.
Yet the fact that it could imprint Sword Momentum without any spiritual energy imbued within it was the most terrifying part.
It was like being able to control objects and make them move without spiritual power. That would mean this person's Primordial Spirit was extraordinarily terrifying.
Naturally, only then were they completely convinced.
Seeing that everyone had finally believed him, Daoist Siji did not reveal the slightest trace of pride. Instead, he became even more composed.
"The reason I believe this person is the Inspector Commander is that there is another important reason. His temperament is natural and unrestrained. He enjoys roaming mountains and rivers, and he also enjoys experiencing the hundred states of the mortal world."
"He often uses exceedingly precious objects to exchange for money, then squanders it freely among mortals. Whether it is a gift bestowed by a ruler or some treasure, it is worth less than dirt in his eyes. He truly is an extraordinary man."
"I happened to obtain this painting in Baiguo Ancient City. According to the shop owner, the person who sold the painting looked extremely similar to the man in it."
"That is why I concluded that the Inspector Commander is in Qingzhou."
Daoist Siji's words left everyone even more shocked.
"That is indeed true. Some masters often care nothing for fame or profit. It is said that Grand Void Sword Venerable once traveled through the wilderness and gave a Dao Artifact flying sword to a rustic villager just to exchange it for a single fruit."
"Yes, yes. In our eyes, these are all rare treasures beyond price, but in the eyes of such reclusive masters, they are merely a pile of broken copper and rotten iron. Such a lofty realm, such a lofty realm."
"Sect Leader, now that we know this secret, what should we do next? Do we need to deliberately curry favor with him?"
The elders nodded repeatedly, completely believing Daoist Siji's words, for there were many such tales.
Yet some elders were curious and did not know what they should do next.
"No! We absolutely must not deliberately curry favor with him. We must even seal off this news. Do not take the initiative to ingratiate yourselves with him. Such masters are weary of fame and profit, and they hate most of all when others approach them with an ulterior motive."
"We must let nature take its course. Do not offend him, nor should we deliberately curry favor with him. But if we discover him, we may have sect disciples ask him some questions about the Sword Dao."
"You must be eager to learn and never be ashamed to ask. Only then can you leave a good impression. No matter the outcome, it will be enough as long as the Four Thunder Sword Sect does not leave a bad impression in this person's mind."
Daoist Siji spoke seriously, telling everyone that they absolutely must not deliberately seek to curry favor with him.
"Yes, yes, yes. What the Sect Leader said is extremely true."
"Right. What such masters hate most is praise, and they also hate those with impure intentions. On the contrary, if we take the initiative to ask about Sword Dao knowledge, perhaps he might even teach us a few moves."
"Yes. Such a master must surely be someone inwardly proud, untouched by joy or anger, unconcerned with fame and profit or wealth and glory, existing solely for the Sword Dao."
In the main hall, every elder's eyes revealed reverence.
Daoist Siji could not help nodding as well, admiration appearing in his eyes. He dearly hoped that one day, he could meet such a true master of the Sword Dao.
At the same time.
Qingyun Dao Sect.
Su Changyu quietly practiced his Sword Moves.
After the time it took half an incense stick to burn.
Su Changyu sheathed his longsword and slowly let out a breath. Then he looked at Chen Lingrou beside him and calmly asked.
"Junior Sister, do you think this set of Sword Moves of mine looks good?"
"Mm, it looks good."
Chen Lingrou replied with a smile, revealing her adorable little canine teeth.
At once, Su Changyu turned his back to Chen Lingrou and revealed a long-lost smile.
Elsewhere.
Xu Luochen carried several books and arrived at Qingyun Back Cliff with a smile on his face.
Before you continue