After Lang Ping finished speaking, a brief silence fell over the center of the hall.
Lin Xuan's gaze towards Lang Ping softened considerably, filled with admiration.
It was this unwavering dedication to the Dao that, despite his lack of talent, never led him to give up or slack off, which was enough to earn his admiration.
A sword needs sharpening.
Lang Ping is a disciple who can be honed like a sword.
He nodded slightly, pondered for a moment, and then slowly spoke.
"Now I am the deputy Peak Master of Ximu Peak, and I have several disciples. Lang Ping, would you be willing to become one of my disciples?"
"He is not the disciple of the deputy Peak Master of Ximu Peak, but my disciple— Lin Xuan's disciple."
"Would you be willing?"
"When? "Lang Ping stared wide-eyed in disbelief.
He suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with surprise and shock, his fingers curled, and his breathing quickened almost uncontrollably.
If the person in front of him hadn't been a senior, he would have disregarded his status and asked, "Really?"
Could I possibly become this senior's disciple?
What gives him the right?
However, Lin Xuan's eyes were serious; he was not lying, nor was he joking.
He caught his breath.
Meeting Lin Xuan's gentle gaze, Lang Ping took a deep breath and nodded firmly.
"Thank you for not abandoning me, seniors... Lang Ping, I'm willing!"
"Good."
Lin Xuan chuckled softly and spoke in a low voice.
"Currently, besides you, I only have one other disciple by my side, your senior sister, named Fang Yun'er. She has just entered the Thearch Realm, survived the tribulation, and is currently stabilizing her cultivation. It is not convenient for her to meet with you for the time being."
" Lang Ping, there's still some time before the sect competition. Are you confident you can bring glory to Ximu Peak?"
When those words came down, Lang Ping was stunned for a moment, and then her expression turned somewhat bitter.
He pursed his lips and spoke with slight difficulty.
"Master... this disciple... this disciple's cultivation level is currently only Heavenly Venerable..."
At the Heavenly Venerable Realm, one couldn't even make a ripple in the Cinnabar Cloud Sword Sect.
Forget about bringing glory, he was afraid that if he went up there, he would bring shame to Ximu Peak and his current master.
"It's just a matter of level of understanding; it's not important."
Lin Xuan spoke calmly.
In my opinion, a heart devoted to the sword is more precious than anything else.
"Rest assured, now that I have accepted you as my disciple, I will not let you waste your lifespan."
"It's just talent. There are countless treasures in the world; why worry that it can't be changed?"
How arrogant these words are!
This also shocked Lang Ping, whose eyes revealed a hint of astonishment.
Change your natural talent...
That was something even his original master, no, it should be said, something even the sect leader of the Cinnabar Cloud Sword Sect couldn't do...
"Just because the sect leader of the Cinnabar Cloud Sword Sect can't do it doesn't mean I can't."
When Lin Xuan's voice rang out, Lang Ping realized that she had unintentionally uttered her innermost thoughts.
He looked up at Lin Xuan, and all he saw was his master's encouraging and warm gaze.
This made him realize that as long as he nodded, Lin Xuan would really find him a treasure that could change his talent!
How captivating...
And how hard it is to refuse!
However, the tall figure remained silent for a moment in the main hall, and finally shook his head with difficulty.
"Master... this disciple does not wish to change my talent now," he said softly.
These words surprised Lin Xuan somewhat, but they also aroused his deeper curiosity.
"Oh?"
Lang Ping took a deep breath, looked down at the hem of her clothes, and murmured to herself.
"Does low talent mean one cannot comprehend the Great Dao?"
"Master, I don't believe it."
"I want to prove myself, and I also want to prove that judging people solely by their natural talents is wrong."
" The Sword Dao is not something that only prodigies can reach its peak."
" The Great Dao never rejects anyone, whether they are prodigies or ordinary people... As long as one perseveres, one can surely reach the peak."
"Master, I am willing to give it a try."
His voice was firm, and his gaze, which had initially shown hesitation, became unwavering.
Indeed, Lang Ping was genuinely moved by what Lin Xuan said.
If he could change his natural talent and become a prodigy, given his comprehension, things wouldn't be too bad.
He could also become a genius in people's eyes, just like Senior Brother Yun.
But is that what I really want?
No, that's not the case.
What he wanted from beginning to end was only to comprehend the Sword Dao.
He ascended to heaven by his own body.
To do the impossible.
To traverse the arduous path to immortality.
What the disciples said was not wrong.
He really is Stone.
A stubborn rock.
Standing here, stubbornly clinging to their own opinions.
And we'd even have to betray our master's good intentions... doing something so foolish and a complete waste of time...
Master, will you be disappointed in him?
Lang Ping was lost in thought when, unexpectedly, a weight settled on her shoulder.
He looked up in surprise and saw that his master had appeared beside him at some point. In his eyes, there was not a trace of disappointment, only encouragement and endless gentleness.
Lin Xuan spoke softly, "Raise your head."
His palm gently patted Lang Ping's back, causing the man, who had subconsciously hunched over as if he were a child who had done something wrong, to suddenly straighten up.
Lin Xuan neither said that Lang Ping's idea was feasible nor that it was impossible.
Instead, there was a hint of satisfaction in his eyes; how many exceptional talents are there in the world?
Throughout history, there have been countless masters of Sword Dao. The fact that Lang Ping had the idea of practicing Sword Dao with an ordinary body further demonstrates her high level of comprehension in this field!
You must know that to cultivate Sword Domain and reach the Saint Realm of Sword Dao, talent alone is far from enough!
Lin Xuan pondered for a moment and then said, "Since you have this intention, as your master, I will naturally give my full support."
"However, I still want you to participate in the sect competition."
"For no other reason than one thing—to prove what you just said, to prove yourself, to show your master."
Before Lang Ping could say anything, Lin Xuan spoke again, "During this period, I will also teach you everything I know; you can learn anything I have."
" Lang Ping, are you confident?"
At that moment, Lang Ping knew she didn't need to say anything more.
He reached out and pressed his hand to his chest, feeling the vibrant beating of his heart and the surging emotions within him, then lowered his head.
"I will follow Master's teachings!"
Time flies like an arrow.
Several months have passed in the blink of an eye.
With the sect competition still some days away, countless disciples and elders who had been training outside returned, transforming into streaks of light on their swords.
The entire Cinnabar Cloud Sword Sect was mobilized for this, and a tense atmosphere permeated both inside and outside the sect.
Meanwhile, on one of the secondary peaks of Ximu Peak, within the Spirit Gathering Formation, Lang Ping's eyelashes trembled slightly, and she slowly opened her eyes.
He hasn't changed much from a few months ago.
He was still as tall as ever, with a peaceful gaze, but his demeanor had undergone a completely different transformation compared to that time.
At first, he was an ignorant, stubborn rock.
Now, the stubborn rock has been broken open, revealing the sharp, refined gold within. Its brilliance is subtle, yet it is impossible to ignore.
He calmly waved his hand, dispelled the Spirit Gathering Formation, walked out of his cave abode, looked at the long-awaited sun, and briefly calculated the time in his mind. Then, he seemed to realize something.
"It's about time, it's almost time."
"It's time to see Master..."