Chapter 541: Red Lotus Nine Swords

"A master teacher must have a profound understanding of cultivation to speak eloquently and point out flaws; otherwise, so-called lectures and explanations are just empty talk!"

"Being able to see through the essence of cultivation and cultivate quickly is crucial, no less important than teaching and nurturing others! Therefore, I have discussed with many elders and decided that this assessment will not stick to conventions. Instead, we have specially designed a new martial technique. At that time, you will be given the time it takes to burn an incense stick to learn it, understanding as much as you can. Then the assessment will be conducted to determine your results!"

"Rest assured, this martial technique has never appeared before, so there is no need to worry about advance leaks."

Looking around, Hall Master Kang smiled.

"Leaks? You jest, Hall Master. The master teacher assessment values fairness above all; otherwise, once discovered, qualifications are revoked. How could anyone knowingly violate the rules!"

"Even if it were unfair, since Young Master Ruo is the Hall Master's student, it should favor him... But it seems he's been beaten down badly this time!"

"Indeed, look at him—formerly the top of the Four Young Masters, full of vigor, and now like a defeated rooster. It's really hard on him..."

"By the way, Hall Master Kang, what exactly is this martial technique? If it's simple, given their talent, they might reach the minor mastery level within the time it takes to burn an incense stick. How would we compare then?"

Hearing the competition rules, someone couldn't help but speak up.

Martial techniques are divided into five levels: Beginner, Proficient, Minor Mastery, Major Mastery, and Perfect Mastery.

Beginner means one has only just understood the technique and can barely use it.

Proficient is a step up, able to exert power but not yet smooth in execution.

As for Minor Mastery, one has a deep understanding of the technique and can use it as a life-saving move.

Know that most martial artists only train their techniques to this level.

As for Major Mastery and Perfect Mastery, without immersing oneself in a single move for over a decade, it's impossible to achieve.

If this technique were simple, everyone would reach Minor Mastery within the time it takes to burn an incense stick, making it hard to determine a winner.

"Minor Mastery?"

Knowing everyone's concerns, Hall Master Kang smiled slightly: "If you knew who designed this technique, you wouldn't say that!"

"Who designed it?"

"Could it be... Elder Hong?"

"Elder Hong, known as the most thorough researcher of martial techniques in the Ten Thousand Nations Master Teacher Hall, has created no fewer than twenty-seven or twenty-eight techniques in the past fifty years!"

"Indeed, my Great Heavy Illusion Fist and Rippleless Chain Palm were both created by him!"

"Who says not? I also have three techniques from his courses..."

"But... hasn't Elder Hong been in seclusion for the last ten years? When did he come out?"

"I don't know either, but if it really was a martial technique he created, let alone reaching minor success, it would be difficult just to achieve entry level in such a short time!"

……

Hearing the hall master's words, everyone thought of a legendary figure and couldn't help murmuring.

"That's right, the one who designed this martial technique is Elder Hong!"

Hall Master Kang smiled lightly, revealing the answer: "Elder Hong has been in seclusion for ten years, all for this martial technique. Finally, a few days ago, he completely created it! Ten years to sharpen a sword—enough to show its difficulty. After evaluation by me and other elders, it has reached the peak of the Spirit Grade Middle Tier!"

"A peak Spirit Grade Middle Tier martial technique?"

"Impressive!"

Everyone gasped.

A martial technique of this level would be difficult even for a peak Mortal Transformation Fourth Layer expert to fully comprehend, let alone these candidates.

"Alright, I've said all I need to say. Now, Elder Hong will personally announce the rules of the assessment and conduct the test. Let's welcome Elder Hong!"

Hall Master Kang smiled, looked around, and suddenly paused: "Hey, Elder Hong, don't leave. Where are you... going?"

Following the voice, everyone looked in unison and saw an old man who had somehow already reached the door of the hall, just one step away from leaving.

"Ahem, I... just taking a stroll!"

Seeing everyone's sharp gazes, the old man quickly stopped, his face reddening.

"The fourth assessment is about to begin..." Hall Master Kang hurried over and pulled him back.

"I..." Elder Hong's face flushed red: "Hall Master, how about... you do it instead!"

Originally confident about taking charge of the assessment, he now hesitated after seeing the miserable state of the three elders before him.

That kid was just too strange. If he really tested him, who knew what bizarre phenomena would appear again. He really didn't want to ruin a lifetime of reputation because of one exam.

"How can that be? This martial technique was created by you, and you have cultivated it to the Great Success realm. Besides you, who else can assess and test them? Even I can't do it!"

Hall Master Kang said.

This martial technique was created by Elder Hong, and he himself had cultivated it to the Great Success level. Besides him, who else had the ability to assess everyone?

At least he couldn't.

"Uh..." Elder Hong hesitated.

"Don't worry, in the time it takes to burn an incense stick, no matter how talented a genius, they would only reach entry level at most. There definitely won't be any problems!"

Knowing what he was worried about, Hall Master Kang sent a voice transmission to comfort him.

That Zhang Shi was indeed strange, but martial techniques were not something that could be mastered in an instant. He didn't believe that merely studying for the time it takes an incense stick to burn could lead to great mastery, surpassing even Elder Hong, the creator of the technique.

So there was nothing to be conflicted about.

"Alright!"

After a moment of thought, finding the other's words reasonable, Elder Hong returned to the group.

"Hall Master Kang has already told you about the content of the assessment. Now I'll explain the detailed rules of the competition."

"This martial technique is called 'Red Lotus Nine Swords.' It was inspired by my observation of a red lotus that flashed and vanished. The rules are simple: in a moment, I will give you the cultivation method for the sword technique. Each of you will have the time it takes an incense stick to burn to study and comprehend it!"

"After that, I will personally test your comprehension. Rest assured, understanding this sword technique depends on your insight into cultivation and talent, not much on your own cultivation level. As long as you have reached the Mortal Transformation Realm, you can learn it and even execute it."

"During the test, none of you may use your cultivation. You will compete solely with sword moves. If you can thrust three swords at me, you have achieved initial mastery; six swords means proficiency; nine swords means you have reached minor mastery... And if you can exchange more than ten moves with me, that is great mastery..."

Elder Hong explained the details.

In fact, it was somewhat similar to the cultivation test in the second round, except that only the newly learned Red Lotus Nine Swords could be used; any deviation would result in failure.

The time it takes an incense stick to burn was about fifteen minutes. In such a short time, it was difficult even to finish reading a martial technique, let alone comprehend it and use it in combat!

This round, upon careful consideration, was much harder than the previous three rounds combined.

"For fairness, this round will be conducted in separate rooms, just like the previous competitions. I'll go over now, and you will come in one by one."

With that, Elder Hong paused: "Let me set the order first. Du Hu first, followed by Luo Xi, Feng Mosheng, Fu Xiaochen, Jun Ruohuan, and Zhang Shi!"

Zhang Xuan was strange; it was better to put him last. Otherwise, if he came in first and caused some uncontrollable situation, it would be difficult to continue.

"Alright!"

Everyone nodded.

"Let's begin!"

Having set the order, Elder Hong walked into the room first, with Du Hu following closely.

After about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, a light flashed on the wall, and a number appeared... three!

Unexpectedly, in such a short time, Du Hu had achieved initial mastery and executed three swords in front of Elder Hong.

As expected of a genius recommended by the other elders, truly extraordinary.

Next was Luo Xi.

She and Du Hu were ranked lowest among the six. Knowing that being selected was hopeless, she had no pressure and learned quickly. After the time it takes an incense stick to burn, she also reached the initial mastery level and executed three swords.

Then came Feng Mosheng. As expected of Elder Feng's student, his comprehension of martial techniques was clearly superior to Du Hu and Luo Xi, who came from lower kingdoms. In just the time it takes an incense stick to burn, he had surpassed initial mastery and reached proficiency.

He executed a full five swords!

Fu Xiaochen was no slouch either, also executing five swords.

After the four, everyone's attention turned to Young Master Ruohuan.

He himself used a sword, and with the highest expectations, being Hall Master Kang's personal disciple, even greater things were anticipated.

Although he had been thoroughly beaten in the first three rounds, he was after all a four-star master teacher with a transcendent mindset. After half a day, Young Master Ruohuan had adjusted his state and did not disappoint. After the time it takes an incense stick to burn, a huge 'six' shone brilliantly.

Proving that his comprehension of martial techniques was the most outstanding among his peers.

"Executing six swords in front of Elder Hong means he has reached the peak of proficiency in the technique, not far from minor mastery!"

"Indeed, truly a genius!"

"I wonder if Zhang Shi can surpass this record."

"Zhang Shi... if I'm not mistaken, his best weapon should be the spear. This is a sword technique; it might be a disadvantage."

"That's true..."

...

Seeing Young Master Ruohuan leave the room, everyone's attention focused on this sudden dark horse.

Previously, no one had thought highly of him, but after consecutively breaking records in three rounds and becoming the undisputed first, he had already demonstrated strength not to be underestimated.

Even so, for this round, everyone still held doubts.

After all, from the first round, it was clear that this person excelled in spear techniques, and learning a sword technique would probably not be easy.

Amid the discussion, Zhang Xuan entered the room.

Soon, the time it takes an incense stick to burn ended.

"Huh? Why is there no number?"

"Yeah, based on the others, a number should have appeared by now. Whether he achieved initial mastery or proficiency, it should be displayed, right?"

"What's going on?"

When the time ended, not only was there no number on the wall, but the room was also eerily quiet. The many master teachers in the hall looked at each other in confusion, all filled with curiosity.

Given this guy's behavior in the previous rounds, even if he had defeated Elder Hong in one move in this round, everyone would have accepted it. But... no movement at all, not even a single move displayed... what the hell?

Could it be that Elder Hong was displeased and... killed this guy?

Or perhaps... this guy killed Elder Hong?

What exactly is going on?