A Sect from a Spirit Vein

Chapter 399: Chapter 357: New Disciple

Xiao Tianci looked at Lu Qian with surprise as he sipped his tea.

"No, you just mentioned he’s the strongest below the Golden Core in Xuanguang Sect, the Peak Master of Huanjian Peak, whose cultivation is nearing Foundation Establishment Perfection, with elusive Invisible Dao Patterns."

"And now you’ve already slain him!"

Seeing Lu Qian’s carefree expression, Xiao Tianci felt a deep admiration.

"The Yunshan Sect is indeed strong, and Sect Leader Lu’s demeanor is truly impressive. I and my sword must learn to speak this way!"

Having woken up not long ago, he briefly familiarized himself with the disciples in the courtyard, understanding that Yunshan Sect has now moved to Mingsha Bay, possessing Lingsha City and Golden Dawn Peak, and has become enemies with Xuanguang Sect. Beyond that, he wasn’t too informed.

However, Hee Yangchen’s prowess, he experienced firsthand. Not to mention those indescribable Invisible Dao Patterns, even in direct combat, he’s despairingly strong, confirming Lu Qian’s description of him as Xuanguang Sect’s strongest below Golden Core was accurate.

Yet such a figure was slain by Yunshan Sect, clearly indicating Yunshan’s capability against Xuanguang Sect wasn’t sheer luck.

If there had been such a thriving sect and an extraordinary Sect Leader at the time, perhaps...

Just as he pondered this, Lu Qian spoke: "Fellow Daoist Xiao, I’m well aware of your innate talent in the Sword Dao. Even though our sect didn’t intervene this time, once you reach Foundation Establishment, you can grow for a bit longer and triumph with your sword."

Xiao Tianci responded calmly: "Sect Leader Lu overpraises me. In reality, I failed at Foundation Establishment previously. Returning to Chongming County this time is merely to recuperate, meet old acquaintances, and perhaps sooner find another opportunity."

Lu Qian showed a timely look of surprise, though he had already heard about Xiao Tianci’s Foundation Establishment failure from Li Da, he wanted to hear the reason now.

Despite Xiao Tianci’s eccentricities, for a Loose Cultivator to reach this point demonstrates exceptional talent in the Sword Dao, with cultivation long sufficient, failure shouldn’t have occurred.

Xiao Tianci, with his typical demeanor, didn’t hide anything, recounting the events in detail.

It turns out he lacked neither the land nor the timing, but the people.

His Foundation Establishment Treasure Land was within a sect’s mountain gate. After requesting to borrow the land, the sect, seeing him merely as a Loose Cultivator, demanded he formally join before they would lend the Spirit Vein.

Xiao Tianci even offered to serve as an Honored Guest Elder for the sect, yet was still rejected.

"I devoted myself to the Sword Dao, while that sect had no involvement with it. To compel me to join without offering anything is absurd, isn’t it?"

Filled with pride, Xiao Tianci had to sever the opportunity and leave with regret.

Knowing that without the Treasure Land, the success rate of forced Foundation Establishment was too low and failure would harm his origin, affecting his dao path, he didn’t recklessly attempt and instead awaited another chance.

Lu Qian quietly listened, then suddenly asked: "I wonder where Fellow Daoist Xiao’s Sword Dao inheritance comes from?"

Xiao Tianci didn’t hide it. He was originally a child from a blacksmith family in a mortal town, learning sword forging from a young age, also practicing some family sword techniques.

One day, tasked by his father to deliver forged farming tools to a village, he encountered bandits on the mountain road. Though talented, he was young, and after fighting till exhaustion, was captured and nearly killed when a passing Loose Cultivator rescued him, becoming that cultivator’s disciple.

"My master had a Sword Scripture, after cultivating for ten years, I’d learned all the sword techniques within." Xiao Tianci gripped his sword hilt, a desolate expression on his face, "My master said he had nothing more to teach me. Shortly after, he succumbed to an old illness, leaving me to wander alone, accompanied only by my sword."

"Since then, I’ve traveled alone, honing my sword techniques, gradually gaining insights, cultivating to the present."

Lu Qian nodded, all the conditions were highly suitable, with Xiao Tianci now at his doorstep, he wouldn’t let this opportunity pass.

"Fellow Daoist Xiao has long endured adversity, must understand the hardships of being a Loose Cultivator." Lu Qian smiled, "Though named Tianci, possessing heavenly talent, lacking a stage to showcase it and a platform to elevate oneself."

"As they say, ’With the momentum of a favorable wind, ascend to the blue skies.’ Even with the power of a dragon’s leap, without vast rivers to support it, one remains confined to shallow waters, prey for fish and shrimp."

"Within sect cultivators, many are ordinary. Yet they can leverage the sect’s strength and collective abilities, easily obtaining precious daoist techniques and abundant resources. Facing challenges, they have seniors and fellow disciples to assist, so even mediocre individuals often surpass you. Seeing such a scene, wouldn’t it evoke deep frustration and sadness?"

"Perhaps Fellow Daoist Xiao once thought, ’I possess such talent, naturally disdain mingling with you vermin. I must prove that alone, I am not inferior to others, and you’re merely my stone for sharpening swords.’ However, reality isn’t so. What do you think, Fellow Daoist Xiao?"

These words struck Xiao Tianci’s soul like heavy blows.

Scenes from the past surged in his mind; his pride, his dignity, his self-deceiving bravado, all laid bare by Lu Qian.

No need to mention distant events, but the recent Foundation Establishment, would he have forfeited an opportunity if backed by a powerful sect?

Though he spoke calmly and acted naturally, only his longsword knew the bitterness and regret in his heart!

Xiao Tianci tightly pressed his lips, feeling his thoughts fully exposed by Lu Qian, unable to meet Lu Qian’s gaze. After a moment of silence, he murmured, "Sect Leader Lu, what do you mean?"

Lu Qian continued with determination, directly saying: "Fellow Daoist Xiao, you’re too talented for me to overlook. I wish to invite you to join our sect as a Yunshan Disciple. From now on, Yunshan gains a sword dao genius, and you receive a strong backing, you contribute wholeheartedly, and we clear obstacles and pursue your dao path, achieving mutual benefit and joy."

Xiao Tianci stood up in shock, he initially thought Lu Qian wished to invite him as an Honored Guest Elder, but now Lu Qian wanted him to formally join.

He hesitated for a moment, Lu Qian’s words were tempting, yet he still doubted, "Sect Leader Lu is kind to me, if joining a sect, Yunshan Sect is ideal. However, Yunshan Sect lacks a Sword Dao inheritance, I’m devoted to it, even upon joining, there’s nothing to learn. Even if I wish to agree, my sword won’t."

Lu Qian laughed, produced four ancient scrolls, flashing them before the wide-eyed Xiao Tianci.

"Who says Yunshan Sect lacks Sword Dao inheritance? It’s merely that our descendants haven’t excelled in it, thus not recognized by outsiders. Should you join, you can become Yunshan’s Sword Dao inheritor."

Xiao Tianci’s hands trembled as he took and perused the introductions.

They were "Rahu Fierce Sword," "Jidu Huie Sword," "Moon Wei Sword," "Purple Qi Extreme Sword," collectively titled "Four Excess Star Nether Illumination Divine Sword True Technique!"

A volume of four scrolls, a wondrous sword scripture that can be cultivated to the Primordial Spirit Realm!