Chapter 1321: Unless You Are the Hall Master!

"You..."

Struggling to get up from the ground, Senior Sister Water's mouth twitched wildly. She looked at the young man before her again, her expression completely changed: "Your understanding of the sword has reached... the level of True Interpretation?"

As a sword genius, she naturally knew the grading of the sword path. The longsword in her hand, before even thrusting out, had fallen to the ground in fear, trembling incessantly. This situation had only occurred with her teacher. That is to say... this young man, who appeared to be only twenty years old, had already mastered the sword to a level comparable to her teacher!

How did he do it?

True Interpretation of the sword path not only requires profound comprehension of swordsmanship but, more importantly, sufficient experience and insight. Her teacher had entered that realm because he once traveled ten thousand miles on foot, experiencing the hardships of ordinary people, and thus stepped into it.

This young man, counting from the time he started cultivating in his mother's womb, had only been at it for about twenty years. How could he comprehend this?

Zhang Xuan did not deny it. He flicked his finger.

The longsword worshiping on the ground lost its suppression. "Buzz!" It flew up and landed in his palm.

He gently flicked it, and it let out a long ring.

"This sword is quite good, very suitable for you!"

He casually handed it back.

This sword was light, agile, and slender, suitable for a woman to exert her strength.

"My teacher chose it for me!"

Senior Sister Water nodded, put away the longsword, and looked at him: "You want to see books on the sword path?"

Having realized he had achieved True Interpretation of the sword, she had lost all confidence in competing.

The gap was too great; even if she made a move, it would only be a disgrace.

"My teacher has copied many books on the sword path. I can take you there..." Senior Sister Water hesitated, then said.

"Then I'll trouble you to lead the way!"

Zhang Xuan's eyes lit up.

"However, let me warn you in advance: since you've already comprehended True Interpretation and have your own path, don't get your hopes too high. I'm afraid you'll be kicked out before you even see the books," Senior Sister Water said.

"Why?"

Zhang Xuan was puzzled.

At his age, being able to comprehend True Interpretation made him a true sword genius. Such a person would be liked by any famous swordsman. Why should he not get his hopes up?

"Well... my teacher is the First Sword Grandmaster of the Saint Son Hall, Jian Qinsheng. He has profound cultivation and a very high status, but..."

She paused and lowered her voice: "He... is a bit too particular about rules..."

"Particular about rules?"

Zhang Xuan was taken aback, then understood.

As a student, it was not good to say too much about her teacher. Saying this probably meant that his teacher was somewhat rigid, an old pedant.

Such a person was very straightforward in speech and action. If he took a liking to you, no force could change his mind; if you didn't see eye to eye, even if your status was high and your background strong, it was useless.

"Yes, he was once an elder of the Ritual Hall, valuing etiquette and rules! To see the books he has collected and receive his guidance, you must pass a test and gain his approval... That Zhang Xu, the sword genius of the Zhang family, is a famous genius even in the inner courtyard, hailed as the number one among the younger generation in swordsmanship. His comprehension of swordsmanship has reached the level of True Interpretation, yet when he came to read the books, he was also kicked out. That's why I say this..."

Senior Sister Water said.

"Even someone who has comprehended True Interpretation gets kicked out? Why?" Zhang Xuan asked curiously.

To achieve True Interpretation of the sword path meant that his understanding of swordsmanship was not inferior to his own. Such a person, even in the Saint Son Hall, was not weak!

Kicking him out directly was simply unreasonable!

"As I said, my teacher values ritual the most. His most revered figure is the third Hall Master of the Saint Son Hall. That Hall Master entered the path through swordsmanship, had formidable cultivation, traveled the world with his sword, and pacified the world with a single sword. The sage clans all showed him respect. Even the headquarters of the Master Teacher Pavilion dared not confront him head-on! He pushed the prestige of the Saint Son Hall to its peak... However, although that Hall Master was powerful, he was lacking in teaching students. After his death, his legacy was cut off, and the entire sword path of the Saint Son Hall began to decline!"

"My teacher is his descendant, guarding a sword intent left by him. To become my teacher's student or learn from him, you must first gain the recognition of that sword intent. I was able to stand out among dozens of sword geniuses in the assessment because I took advantage of my water-attributed cultivation method, which allows all things to merge. But Zhang Xu had comprehended his own sword path, which clashed with the sword intent, so... he was kicked out!"

"Oh!"

Zhang Xuan nodded.

When one's understanding of the sword reached the level of True Interpretation, the sword intent they wielded seemed to have a soul, and it would indeed choose the cultivator.

For example, the Lingxu Sword had submitted to him because he had comprehended the external "sword" character and reached True Interpretation.

Clashing sword intents was like conflicting philosophies.

This Senior Sister Water practiced a water-attributed technique, with a gentle temperament, making it easy to gain the sword intent's approval. But those with deep sword comprehension, having their own path, would inevitably find it more difficult.

"Could it be... that the books he collected were all left by that third Hall Master? And the content follows the same lineage?"

He had a thought.

Gaining the sword intent's approval could also be understood as walking the same path of cultivation.

Only such people could read his books and receive his guidance. In essence, this Jian Qinsheng wanted to cultivate sword experts of his own lineage.

"Everyone has a unique understanding of swordsmanship. I wonder which one he comprehends... but it should be different from Sword Elder's," Zhang Xuan shook his head.

His understanding of swordsmanship was derived from Sword Elder.

This Sword Grandmaster had roamed the alliance for so many years, and there was no mention of him being related to this third Hall Master. They probably did not belong to the same path.

That is to say, if he went, he would most likely be kicked out like Zhang Xu.

"If I just take a look at the books, without copying them, without using my divine sense to scan, and without even opening them... would that still not be allowed?"

After hesitating, Zhang Xuan couldn't help asking.

His way of reading was different from others. As long as his eyes could see, in the blink of an eye, the content would be collected into the library.

He didn't need guidance, nor did he need to copy. Just by looking, he would know if he could complete the Lingxu Three Swords... That should be simple, right?

"Just a look?"

Senior Sister Water shook her head with a bitter smile: "These books are treasured by my teacher. He has set up a special room, and without his token, you can't even enter. Unless... you are the Hall Master, otherwise, don't even dream of it!"

"The Hall Master can enter?"

Zhang Xuan was stunned.

It seemed... he was the sole candidate for Hall Master.

Although he wasn't yet, it shouldn't be long before he succeeded...

"Of course! The Hall Master is the supreme leader of the Saint Son Hall. Even if my teacher refuses anyone else, he wouldn't dare refuse the Hall Master!"

Senior Sister Water shook her head: "But the Saint Son Hall hasn't had a real Hall Master for over three hundred years. The one handling affairs now is only an acting Hall Master... Alright, I've said too much. The Hall Master is not someone like us little people can discuss. After all this explanation, do you still want to go? If you do, let's go now; if you think it's hopeless, then don't bother!"

"Go, of course I'll go!"

Zhang Xuan smiled slightly.