"Are you a Changbai Sect disciple?" The Sword Transformation elder shifted his gaze from Li Zongbao's calm, unruffled face, passed over Fairy Hongxia and Xiao Mao, and settled on Xiao Hua.
Xiao Hua's eyes rolled. Just as he was about to answer offhandedly, a sharp realization struck him, and he hurriedly bowed. "Reporting to Senior, this junior is a Thunder Control Sect disciple, not a Changbai Sect disciple!"
"Oh? Since you are not a Changbai Sect disciple, why do you carry a faint sword intent? Have you also cultivated flying swords?" The Sword Transformation elder's expression did not change in the slightest as he asked mildly.
"Yes, this junior was originally a Rogue Cultivator and once obtained an incomplete sword art." Xiao Hua began spinning nonsense again. "This junior did not know it was a sword art and thought it was a flying-sword technique of our Dao Sect, so I happily began cultivating it! Oh, right, Senior, this junior has a question. This sword essence..."
Seeing Xiao Hua so thirsty for knowledge, the Sword Transformation elder wore an expression halfway between laughter and tears. Before Xiao Hua could finish, he waved a hand. "Shut up! Do you think this old man is one of your Thunder Control Sect elders? Even if I were an elder of your Zhen Thunder Palace, who would answer such questions unless it were your helpless master from Myriad Thunder Valley?"
"Y-you know..." Xiao Hua looked utterly incredulous as he spoke in astonishment.
"Hmph, do you think this old man is one of those Golden Cores in your Dao Sect Council Hall, inferior even to Jura Beasts?" the Sword Transformation elder said coldly. "The three who assassinated Qin Jian, as well as the Huanhua Sect disciples who broke our sword cultivators' Four Directions Sword Array, are