Chapter 340: Perfect Answer!

Chapter 340: Perfect Answer!

“This question is harder than the last ones—but it’s got more depth!”

Zhuang, the teahouse owner, mulled over the words, feeling like he was on the verge of grasping something… but always just missing the point.

“Let’s see how those three interpret it. We’ll just take good notes.”

Li Ziping finally let out a sigh of relief after hearing the third question.

The first two were too bizarre—finally, something normal.

Before he became a cultivator, he was already a well-known literary talent in the mortal realm, nicknamed “Little Li, the Poet Immortal.”

A full-fledged man of letters.

He didn’t need to chew on the phrase to grasp ninety percent of its meaning on the first listen.

He glanced at Reverend Karma beside him and saw the old monk frowning. A smirk crept onto his lips.

Rumor had it that Reverend Karma used to be a butcher before he took the robes—a pig killer. What kind of education could a pig killer have? He was probably panicking by now.

Then he looked toward the young cultivator. Though only at the Golden Core stage, this one was the only one he couldn’t see through—mostly because the guy didn’t play by any rules, and yet somehow kept giving the optimal answers. Truly a formidable opponent...

When the Sword Soul turned to him, Li Ziping answered calmly:

“This can be interpreted as follows: At thirty, one can stand on his own in society. At forty, one begins to understand the ways of the world. At fifty, one recognizes the destiny granted by Heaven. At sixty, one becomes able to listen and accept different voices. At seventy, one follows the desires of the heart and does as he pleases.”

Finishing his explanation, Li Ziping gave a confident smile.

He was very sure of his answer.

He didn’t believe there could be a better one.

Even if Reverend Karma and that young cultivator copied him, he was still the first to respond.

That counted for something!

【Good interpretation. Excellent!】

Li Ziping relaxed inwardly. As expected.

Reverend Karma answered second.

Let’s just say—once a butcher, always a butcher.

He struggled for ages only to dress up Li Ziping’s answer with some fluff.

The result? A total mess. He added things that didn’t belong, missed things that did.

The Sword Soul just kept shaking its head. In the end, it gave a blunt: 【Unqualified.】

Then it was Chen Huaian’s turn.

Chen Huaian looked thoughtfully at the Sword Soul—whose image was that of a tall sword cultivator. Though draped in a baggy robe, the muscles underneath were visibly defined.

Sword cultivators were similar to body cultivators—they both emphasized physical refinement.

Where body cultivators believed brute strength crushed all techniques, sword cultivators believed a single blade could dominate the world.

So then...

He mulled it over and said,

“My interpretation is different from the other two.

‘At thirty, one stands firm’—this means it takes thirty sword cultivators of my level to make me stand up and draw my blade.

‘At forty, no more confusion’—even if I’m up against forty sword cultivators, I won’t hesitate. I’ll strike decisively.

‘At fifty, understand Heaven’s will’—even if I face fifty of them, my sword will make them think they’re up against fate itself!

‘At sixty, obey what the ears hear’—if sixty come at me, they’ll have no choice but to sit and listen to my lecture on swordsmanship.

‘At seventy, follow the heart’—even if more than seventy come, I’ll kill exactly as I please!

This has nothing to do with age. It’s about showing the fearless and unmatched sword intent of a true sword cultivator!”

Li Ziping whipped his head toward Chen Huaian, eyes wide, jaw nearly falling off.

Reverend Karma, lacking the cultural background, was actually fine. In fact, he thought Chen Huaian’s interpretation made more sense than Li Ziping’s.

The Sword Soul’s eyes lit up. It stepped forward, staring at Chen Huaian.

【Do not do unto others what you do not wish upon yourself. What does this mean?】

Chen Huaian: “If I don’t want something, I’ll throw it away before I ever give it to you.”

【A gentleman must be solemn to command respect. What does this mean?】

Chen Huaian: “When a gentleman draws his sword, he must go for the kill—that’s the only way to earn respect.”

【If one learns of the Way in the morning, one can die in the evening. What does this mean?】

Chen Huaian: “If I find the road to your house in the morning, I’ll show up that evening and kill you with one sword!”

【The Master said not to speak of ghosts, gods, and the supernatural. What does this mean?】

“I’m done talking. I’ll just use brute force and a flurry of chaotic sword strikes to hack you until you forget your own name!”

Back and forth they went—one question, one answer—faster and faster.

After more than thirty rounds, the Sword Soul took a deep breath, gazing at Chen Huaian with a look that could only be described as... flirty.

【Genius! Perfect answer!】

The Sword Soul nodded in utter satisfaction.

“What?!” Li Ziping nearly fell headfirst into the water. While the Sword Soul was still there, he pointed at Chen Huaian and protested,

“He was spouting complete nonsense! How can that be a perfect answer? That’s not right!”

The Sword Soul gave Li Ziping a glance that... how to describe it.

There was helplessness, regret, and a touch of you-had-potential-but-you-blew-it.

If Chen Huaian hadn’t shown up, Li Ziping would’ve been the best candidate.

But alas... this young cultivator was just too fitting!!!

【You have been chosen. Please come with me to the Sword Mirror beneath the pool.】 The Sword Soul threw Chen Huaian a flirtatious glance.

Li Ziping and Reverend Karma were not having it.

“Hey! Wasn’t there supposed to be a martial test?”

“Amitabha, where is this martial contest to be held?”

The Sword Soul shook its head:

【A martial duel is not mandatory. If the literary trials identify the person this Venerable One desires, there’s no need to waste more time.】

“Huh?” Li Ziping was stunned. “Just by talking? Isn’t that a bit ridiculous? At least test some real strength!”

As soon as he finished, he dropped the facade and unleashed his aura—peak of the Seventh Realm of Void Fusion. The surface of Clearwater Pool sank under the pressure.

Reverend Karma didn’t hold back either. He too revealed his Eighth Realm aura, standing toe-to-toe with Li Ziping.

He didn’t even know the Sword Soul was related to Zhang Yibai.

He was simply following orders from Reverend Karma to sabotage Zhenwu Holy Land.

Three days ago, Zhenwu had rejected a merger offer—and quite rudely at that.

With Yaoshi Holy Land still intact, it wasn’t the time for a lose-lose fight.

So when Zhenwu made a move, Reverend Karma was sent to shadow them.

He didn’t necessarily need to fight Li Ziping—but he sure as hell had to make the guy’s life miserable.

“Oh? So you want to settle it with strength?”

Chen Huaian stepped forward. The aura of the Void Fusion Realm swept out—easily suppressing both Li Ziping and Reverend Karma.

At that moment, the two Void Fusion cultivators were completely stunned.

Even the nearby cultivators watching the scene were dumbfounded.

When did Void Fusion Realm become so common?

“You’re in the Void Fusion Realm too?! Who are you?”

Reverend Karma couldn’t process it. He still didn’t know what had happened in Yaoshi Holy Land.

Real Person Yuyao had tightly locked down the information. Reverend Karma only noticed she’d gotten gentler and less cold—and even invited him to visit Yaoshi Holy Land…

Still, out of caution, he decided to observe for now.

Li Ziping thought for a moment and came to a realization. He pointed at Chen Huaian:

“You—you’re the Sword Pavilion Ancestor?!”

Chen Huaian just smiled, saying nothing.

The water of Clearwater Pool surged from beneath his feet, swallowing him whole.

…

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