Sword Douluo Wants to Take Gu Han as His Disciple

Although that sharp aura carried no pressure, it felt more like a message, telling him that someone had arrived.

The next moment, a snow-white figure appeared soundlessly before Gu Han and Xiao Wu.

The newcomer had white hair, handsome features, and a particularly upright bearing. Just standing there, he gave off an air of pressure. This was Sword Douluo Chen Xin.

As soon as Gu Han saw him, he immediately summoned the Karma Scissors to conceal Xiao Wu's aura. Even with the Thousand-Change Mask, it was better to be safe.

His gaze fell directly on Gu Han, and his eyes held undisguised admiration.

"Little fellow, are you Gu Han?"

Chen Xin spoke slowly, his voice calm and amiable.

"Yes, Senior Chen Xin. I'm Gu Han."

Seeing that Gu Han showed no fear of him because of his status, Chen Xin admired him all the more.

Gu Han already understood why he had come.

Xiao Wu stood obediently behind Gu Han, curiously watching Sword Douluo Chen Xin. She felt no fear at all, precisely because she had the Thousand-Change Mask.

Chen Xin gave a slight nod and got straight to the point:

"Gu Han, I've never seen your Martial Soul before, but it possesses the attribute of Ultimate Ice. Very impressive."

"I am Chen Xin. My Martial Soul is the Seven Kill Sword, and my title is Sword Douluo. I came here today to ask you: would you be willing to take me as your master and study the sword with me?"

If any sword-wielding Soul Master on the continent heard those words, they would likely be overcome with excitement.

After all, becoming Sword Douluo's disciple was practically the dream of every Sword Martial Soul Soul Master.

However, Gu Han barely hesitated before shaking his head.

"Thank you for your kindness, Senior, but I have no intention of taking a master."

A trace of surprise flashed through Chen Xin's eyes. He hadn't expected Gu Han to refuse so decisively.

"Oh? Do you know how many people on this continent have wanted to take me as their master, only for me to turn them down?"

"Of course I do."

Gu Han met Chen Xin's gaze. "Senior's Seven Kill Sword is recognized as the foremost weapon for offense."

"But I want to walk my own path. My swordsmanship should be mine alone, and with just me and my sword, I'll ascend to the pinnacle of the continent."

His words brimmed with pride. Just him and his sword, ascending to the peak—what incredible confidence!

Hearing this, Chen Xin wasn't angered. Instead, his admiration grew even stronger.

At his level, of course he appreciated younger generations who had their own convictions and pride.

"Grandpa Sword!"

Just then, a light, lilting voice called out.

Ning Rongrong came running over and affectionately wrapped her arms around Chen Xin's. "Grandpa Sword, what brings you here? Did you come all this way just to see me?"

Chen Xin's expression softened at once. He fondly patted her head.

"Of course I came to see our little princess. I also wanted to meet this young friend." His gaze returned to Gu Han.

Only then did Ning Rongrong notice Gu Han and Xiao Wu standing nearby. After a moment, she understood what had happened. When she heard that Gu Han had refused Chen Xin's offer to take him as a disciple, her eyes widened in surprise.

"Gu Han, you actually turned down Grandpa Sword? He's the strongest Titled Douluo in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. So many people want to become his disciple, but never get the chance!"

Gu Han smiled faintly at Ning Rongrong. "Everyone has their own ambitions."

Chen Xin looked at Gu Han and suddenly spoke. "Since your aspirations are so lofty, let me personally weigh your worth and see how much you're really capable of—whether you're all talk."

He didn't release his Soul Rings. He merely joined his index and middle fingers like a sword, and his aura instantly drew in to the utmost.

"I'll suppress my Soul Power to the Soul King level and spar with you using nothing but my understanding of the sword."

"If you can take ten moves from me, I won't bring up taking you as my disciple again. I'll also let you come to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect anytime to discuss the sword with me."

Gu Han knew this was an invitation he couldn't refuse.

The chance to fight Sword Douluo—even with his Soul Power suppressed—would deepen Gu Han's own insights considerably.

"I couldn't ask for more."

Battle intent surged in Gu Han's eyes. The Heavenly Frost Sword appeared in his hand, and biting cold spread through the air once more.

The battle began in an instant.

Chen Xin pointed with his joined fingers. A concentrated sword aura shot through the air, seemingly ordinary, yet imbued with an indestructible sword intent.

"First Soul Skill, Frost Blade Slash." Gu Han swung his Heavenly Frost Sword, meeting the sword aura head-on.

"Shhk!"

The two sword auras clashed. Gu Han's Frost Blade Slash was sliced cleanly in two, and the other sword aura lost none of its force as it continued straight for his face.

Gu Han darted backward, barely dodging it. Then his sword stance shifted. "Second Soul Skill, Ice Crystal Barrier." A wall of ice sprang up, attempting to block the sword aura.

But Chen Xin simply tapped the ice wall.

"Crack." The wall shattered on the spot, scattering into a blizzard of ice crystals.

"Third Soul Skill, Frost Bloom." Using the ice crystals as cover, Gu Han drove the Heavenly Frost Sword into the ground. Countless ice spikes burst forth.

Chen Xin's figure flickered as he moved effortlessly among the dense spikes. With a series of finger-sword strikes, he hit the weakest point of each one.

His movements looked simple, but the sword intent within them was nothing to underestimate.

Gu Han drove his swordsmanship to its limits. Cold poured from the Heavenly Frost Sword as he brought out the full power of its Ultimate Ice attribute.

Yet under Chen Xin's sword aura, every one of his attacks was effortlessly deflected.

Ten moves passed in the blink of an eye.

Gu Han stood with his sword in hand, breathing hard. Sword auras had torn several places in his clothes, though he hadn't been injured. The outcome was already clear: he had lost, and he accepted it wholeheartedly.

"I've lost." Gu Han lowered his sword and spoke respectfully.

He knew that if Chen Xin had suppressed his Soul Power and only defended, Gu Han might not have lasted even three moves.

Chen Xin looked at Gu Han, his eyes full of praise.

"To combine the attributes of your sword to such a degree at the Soul King level is truly a rare talent."

"Perhaps your path really is different from everyone else's."

He paused. "The doors of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will always be open to you. If you ever have questions about the sword, you can come to me anytime."

With that, he said no more. He smiled fondly at Ning Rongrong, then gradually vanished from sight.

[ Ding! You sparred with Sword Douluo Chen Xin in a swordsmanship duel. Though defeated, you have brought honor to yourself, and your understanding of the sword has deepened! Reward: Sword Dao Insight Fragment x1, 300 Magic Modification Points! ]

[Hint: Collect a certain number of Sword Dao Insight Fragments to increase the power of sword-type Martial Souls or directly comprehend the Sword Dao Domain.]

Feeling a new glimmer of understanding about the sword in his mind, along with the system's reward, Gu Han knew that his exchange with Chen Xin had yielded far more than he'd imagined.

He looked in the direction where Chen Xin had disappeared and thought, The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect... It looks like I really will have to pay them a visit someday.