But after hearing Chu Qiuyai's words, Xu Taiping lowered his head and sank into thought.
"Fellow Daoist Ping'an?"
Holding the jade ladle, Chu Qiuyai prompted Xu Taiping, a trace of puzzlement in his eyes.
Only then did Xu Taiping raise his head.
Instead of taking the jade ladle from Chu Qiuyai, however, he cupped his hands toward him and said apologetically:
"Elder Chu, I won't be taking this water."
In all his years guarding the mountain, this was the first time Chu Qiuyai had seen anyone refuse to drink from the Spirit Spring after reaching the summit.
Puzzled, he drew back his outstretched hand and asked in bewilderment:
"Why?"
Xu Taiping answered truthfully:
"To be honest, Elder Chu, I also practice a form of swordsmanship. Someone extremely important to me taught it to me, and I don't want the Great Emperor's sword intent to erase it."
These words left Elder Chu even more confused, and he asked:
"Could the swordsmanship you practice be an origin swordsmanship imparted by the Spirit Bone Stele?"
Xu Taiping shook his head.
"No, it isn't."
Xu Taiping explained:
"This swordsmanship was created by that senior of mine. It wasn't inherited from the Spirit Bone Stele."
At this, Chu Qiuyai immediately knitted his brows.
"Fellow Daoist Ping'an, I don't mean to belittle that senior of yours. I'm merely speaking to the matter at hand."
Chu Qiuyai continued:
"In my view, a sword art without any lineage cannot possibly compare to this sword intent of the True Martial Great Emperor."
"Besides, even if you drink this ladle of water, you may not necessarily comprehend that sword intent from the Spirit Spring."
As he spoke, he held the jade ladle out before Xu Taiping once more, then earnestly urged him:
"So, Fellow Daoist Ping'an, heed this old man's