As the two-hour period came to an end, the gates of the Sword Dao Hall automatically opened.
Immediately, an extraordinarily vivid scene burst out from the doors.
The disciples of the Profound Sword Sect, one by one, appeared disheveled and flushed, with faint markings of letters visible on their bodies.
Their frantic and shameful appearance resembled girls who had been bullied, leaving the elders outside and the disciples who had not entered the hall bewildered, unable to decipher what had transpired.
Among them, the most conspicuous was the Sword Dao Hallâs steward, Gu Huaqiu. His status was already dazzling, but unlike others who had writings mostly on their bodies, he had a glaring âBâ letter on his forehead, which made onlookers cover their mouths and chuckle secretly.
Soon, Liu Zixuan leisurely sauntered out from the hall, surprising everyone, as while others looked disheveled, he appeared calm as if nothing had happened.
With a cigarette in his mouth and hands in his pockets, he looked so nonchalant and ostentatious!
Standing at the entrance, he stretched lazily, "The Sword Dao Hall is indeed quite remarkable."
"What did you do to them?" At this moment, an elder approached and asked in a deep voice.
Earlier, Elder Yang introduced him as the Second Elder of the Profound Sword Sect.
The one who took Fan Tong away was the Third Elder, Yangming Sword Venerable was the Fourth and Fifth Elder, and now with the Second Elder present, Liu Zixuan was somewhat curious about when he might meet the legendary Great Elder.
With a smile, Liu Zixuan cupped his hands, "Second Elder, I am not quite sure what you mean."
The Second Elder snorted coldly, "I just examined the writings on their bodies; it should be your doing, correct?"
Liu Zixuan, looking aggrieved, spread his hands, "Second Elder, youâre wronging me. Think about it, Iâm just one person with no ability to manage so many disciples at once. Moreover, our Profound Sword Sect has a Punishment Hall. As a new disciple, it would be impossible for me to break the sectâs rules!"
"A silver-tongued fellow, indeed!"
The Second Elder scrutinized Liu Zixuan, "If itâs not your doing, then how did it happen?"
Liu Zixuan shook his head cluelessly, "I donât know."
"You donât know? How could you be unaware while being inside the Sword Dao Hall?" The Second Elder yelled, blowing out his beard in anger. Although he pondered, it seemed impossible for Liu Zixuan alone to have caused such chaos among the disciples, yet he was the only one unscathed, which was indeed puzzling.
Liu Zixuan sighed, "You wouldnât know, but since I joined the Profound Sword Sect, Elder Qing has kept me busy, cleaning this hall and then that one, working tirelessly day and night. I was exhausted. When I entered the Sword Dao Hall, I intended to emulate the senior brothers and comprehend the Sword Dao Profound Meaning, but soon after, I fell asleep, and when I woke, they were in that state!"
Honestly, since Liu Zixuan could remember, he had never blushed while lying. Deceiving this Second Elder was completely in his element!
The Second Elder seemed skeptical yet unsure, after a moment said solemnly, "Youâd better not do anything against the rules, or the Punishment Hall will not show leniency!"
Clatter!
At that moment, a broom suddenly fell in front of Liu Zixuan.
Following that, Elder Qingâs voice came over, "You little rascal, I told you to start working immediately after coming out, what are you doing here!"
Liu Zixuan knew well that Elder Qing came to back him up, hurriedly picked up the broom and smiled to the Second Elder, "Iâll go work now!"
The Second Elder had no evidence and naturally couldnât do much to Liu Zixuan. He waved impatiently and left.
"You, truly donât like to lose wherever you go, do you." Elder Qing walked over with his hands behind his back and mumbled in exasperation.
Liu Zixuan raised his eyebrows, "I canât just let others bully me, can I."
"Still, arenât you afraid Gu Huaqiu will report you to the Punishment Hall?" Elder Qing glared at him.
Liu Zixuan tugged Elder Qingâs beard, "Arenât you here to help me out!"
"You!"
Seeing Liu Zixuanâs shameless face, Elder Qing fell silent unexpectedly.
He shook his head helplessly, "How did you do with the comprehension inside?"
"It was simply a profound revelation for me!" Liu Zixuan marveled.
Elder Qing gave him a sideways glance, "Youâre never serious even with that."
Liu Zixuan, however, shook his head with a grin. He wasnât joking with Elder Qing; it was truly enlightening.
After comprehending some Sword Dao Profound Meanings, he really felt enlightened, even feeling that he hadnât truly understood the sword before, nor had he ever deeply explored the true meaning of the word âsword.â
After just over an hour of understanding, Liu Zixuanâs mind was now filled with everything about swords, he needed time to organize it, and time to digest that information.
He asked, "How is your preparation going?"
"Almost done, but I think you might not be in the mood for other things right now." Elder Qing smiled, "Having just exited the Sword Dao Hall, you should focus on thoroughly understanding what you comprehended."
Liu Zixuan said with a smile, "No rush, letâs first see what you need me to treat. As for digesting those insights, Iâll do it tonight."
"Tonight?" Elder Qing raised his eyebrows puzzled, logically this is the best time. The longer it drags on, the easier itâll be forgotten.
Liu Zixuan gave a mysterious smile, "Havenât you watched those historical dramas? Late at night is the best time for cultivation; even the famous Dugu Nine Swords was suddenly realized by Feng Qingyang in the middle of the night!"
Elder Qing was stunned at the words, the legendary Dugu Nine Swords and Feng Qingyang were all fabrications from martial arts novels; he hadnât expected Liu Zixuan to take novel content seriously!
But after all, Liu Zixuan was going to help him, he couldnât scold him.
He waved his hand, "Since you donât mind, I wonât advise you otherwise, follow me then."
On the way, Elder Qing curiously asked about the happenings in the Sword Dao Hall, and Liu Zixuan didnât hide anything, recounting everything. When mentioning the âBâ letter on Gu Huaqiuâs forehead, Elder Qing directly gave Liu Zixuan a thumbs up.
Then he shook his head, "But youâve really made him an enemy. Although heâs not as competent as you, his master is no simple figure!"
"The Great Elder?" Liu Zixuan asked.
"Yes, sheâs not as easily fooled as Gu Huaqiu." Elder Qing said meaningfully, then led Liu Zixuan into a cave beside the Peach Blossom House.
Upon entering, Liu Zixuan immediately felt a powerful energy approaching him, and within that energy, there was a hint of heart-palpitating murderous intent...