Library of Heaven’s Path

“So, when fighting with those of the Zhang Clan, you can use the Flowing Water Swordsmanship to first protect yourself as you prepare for a counterattack with the Sea Severing Sword. As long as you time your blade well, even Zhang Xu will struggle to match you!” Jian Qinsheng said.

Even though none of his students were able to deal with the sword practitioners of the Zhang Clan, the young man before him had the ability to do so.

As someone who had comprehended two different types of Sword Quintessences, the young man’s mastery of swordsmanship was far above his. As long as the young man was able to complement his two Sword Quintessences with one another impeccably, he would be invincible among his peers.

Even if the young man faced the Xingmeng Sword Saint at the same cultivation realm, Jian Qinsheng was confident that the young man would be able to eventually achieve victory!

Unless the Xingmeng Sword Saint had managed to comprehend two Sword Quintessences as well, he would not stand a chance against the young man at all.

“However, I would also like to highlight that Zhang Xu is only the strongest sword practitioner from the Zhang Clan who has enrolled into the Sanctum of Sages, so he might not necessarily be the best sword practitioner in the Zhang Clan. Thus, you mustn’t underestimate your opponents once we are there!”

At this point, Jian Qinsheng’s expression suddenly turned grim. “This is especially so for the young prodigy of the Zhang Clan. So far, there’s still no concrete news about him yet, and if I’m not mistaken, there’s a good chance that he might appear in this Clan Conference. After all, this is a good opportunity for the Zhang Clan to build up the reputation of the young prodigy ahead of the marriage with the Luo Clan’s little princess!”

“Young prodigy?”

“Indeed. The previous Clan Conference held by the Zhang Clan was during the young prodigy’s full month celebration, and it served as a declaration of strength to the rest of the world. In the twenty years since then, there has been absolutely no news about the young prodigy, so I suspect that this is an intentional ploy from the Zhang Clan in order to build a powerful entrance for him. As long as the young prodigy is able to display overwhelming strength during this Clan Conference, the prestige of the Zhang Clan will be brought to an entirely different level!” Jian Qinsheng said.

Hearing those words, Zhang Xuan narrowed his eyes.

The other party was right.

Considering the usual shameless shenanigans that the Zhang Clan resorted to, this was indeed something that sounded like what they would do.

Intentionally hiding the young prodigy from view so as to create some controversy and confusion, only to bring him out at the crucial moment so as to solidify their reputation once and for all.

Connate Saint… To be honest, it would be a lie if Zhang Xuan said that he did not feel the slightest bit of stress at having to face the young prodigy of the Zhang Clan.

After all, Luo Ruoxin had been able to reach a realm far higher than the current him despite not being a Connate Saint. Considering the talent and resources that the young prodigy had at his disposal… just what kind of realm could he have reached by now?

Noticing the unnatural look on Zhang Xuan’s face, Jian Qinsheng attempted to console him. “You don’t have to worry too much about the young prodigy. It isn’t much for you to lose to him. Not even Kong shi was born as a Connate Saint; even if you can’t compete with him, no one will say anything about it!”

However, Jian Qinsheng’s consolation only served to make Zhang Xuan’s complexion even more awful.

Losing to that fellow who was only good for bragging?

Dream on!

“Elder Jian, do you happen to have any Phantasmal Space realm cultivation technique manuals?” Zhang Xuan asked grimly.

He had already reinforced his Saint 6-dan Grand Dominion realm cultivation for more than twenty days. Since it was likely for the young prodigy to appear, he would really have to think of a way to make a breakthrough in preparation of a fight against the other party.

Otherwise, he probably would not stand a chance at all.

“Phantasmal Space realm cultivation technique manuals? I only happen to have one of them, and it was left behind by my ancestor.” Knowing that the young man had an interest in reading, Jian Qinsheng was not surprised by the request at all.

With a flick of his wrist, he took out a book and passed it over.

“Thank you!” Zhang Xuan took the book and collected it into the Library of Heaven’s Path.

It was indeed a Phantasmal Space realm cultivation technique manual, and it was of a particularly high tier. What was unique about this cultivation technique was that it harnessed Sword Intent, so it was probably a unique cultivation technique passed down in the other party’s lineage.

With a thought, Zhang Xuan swiftly compiled the various Phantasmal Space realm cultivation technique manuals that he had together.

There’s still a flaw in the Saint 7-dan Heaven’s Path Divine Art… Zhang Xuan frowned.

He had already gathered quite a few Phantasmal Space realm cultivation technique manuals a while back and compiled them into a Heaven’s Path Divine Art, but due to the limited number of books in his possession, there had still been several flaws with it.

Perhaps due to the high tier of the cultivation technique manual from Jian Qinsheng, it had managed to resolve most of the flaws, leaving just a single one behind.

Just as Zhang Xuan was about to take a closer look at the flaw and ponder on how it could be resolved, he suddenly heard Jian Qinsheng’s voice once more. “Oh right, I almost forgot about it. You won’t be challenging the Zhang Clan under the identity as my student but as my senior from the same lineage!”

“Senior?” Surprised by those words, Zhang Xuan raised his head to look at Jian Qinsheng.

“You were able to learn the Flowing Water Swordsmanship just by studying the ‘剑 (Sword)’ character on the wall; this is a feat that even I’m incapable of pulling off, so naturally, I am unqualified to have you treat me as your teacher. Since that’s the case, it’s much better to have you come as my senior instead. This way, it will be less likely for us to get exposed,” Jian Qinsheng said.

Considering how his mastery of swordsmanship was not even close to matching up to the young man’s, it would clearly be inappropriate to have the young man play the role of his student.

Just the fact that the young man had learned the Flowing Water Swordsmanship through comprehending the ‘剑 (Sword)’ meant that the young man had inherited his ancestor’s most direct heritage. From such a viewpoint, it was not exactly wrong for him to address the young man as his senior.

Understanding Jian Qinsheng’s intentions, Zhang Xuan nodded.

To him, the identity that he used to enter the Zhang Clan did not matter at all. As long as he could teach them a lesson, he would not mind anything at all.

After explaining what needed to be explained, Jian Qinsheng said, “Alright, I think you should rest for a moment. Things will get really hectic once we arrive at the Zhang Clan.”

Zhang Xuan nodded silently before closing his eyes to condition his state.

Not too long later, his body suddenly jolted, and soon after, he felt an immense pressure crushing down on him from the air. He hurriedly opened his eyes, and soon, he heard a voice booming across the air. “May I know which friend is approaching? Please report your name so that we can register you.”

Through the windows, Zhang Xuan could see several old men standing atop another aerial saint beast some distance away, and they were currently looking at them with clasped fists.

It was difficult for him to gauge how powerful they were from where he stood, but he could sense that their power had locked down the surrounding space, making it impossible for them to barge past them.

“I am Jian Qinsheng from the Sanctum of Sages. I have been invited here by the Xing Sword Saint, and here is my invitation letter!” Jian Qinsheng flicked his wrist and tossed a jade token over.

One of the elders caught the jade token and examined it carefully before replying, “Ah, so it’s Sword Saint Jian! I’m deeply apologetic for our rudeness. This way please!”

“I’ll be troubling you then!” Nodding, Jian Qinsheng prompted the saint beast beneath him to slowly continue moving forward.

Zhang Xuan took a look at the scenery ahead, and he soon noticed a massive city appearing on the horizon.

This city was located against the mountains, which bestowed it with a majestic aura. There were many formations erected all over it, such that it would be nigh impossible for Saint 9-dan or even real 9-star master teachers to breach it.

“The base of the Zhang Clan is also known as Dracotiger City. The formations cast over the city were personally set up by the ancestor of the Zhang Clan, and the prowess they harness is unimaginable,” Jian Qinsheng explained through zhenqi telepathy. “The group that we encountered earlier are the elders of the Zhang Clan. Even though it might appear that they are welcoming their guests, the truth is that they are flaunting their strength to the rest of the world so as to construct an inviolable image.”

Zhang Xuan nodded.

Through tapping into the prowess of the surrounding formations, the elders emanated an aura that felt as if they wielded absolute control within the area. Those whose mental resilience was slightly weaker might even have found themselves feeling deferential toward the Zhang Clan, giving up all thoughts of resistance against them.

And once this thought was born within one’s mind, it would be hard to overlook it anymore.

“What huge airs they are putting up! To be flaunting their strength even to their guests… Really, where did they learn their manners?” Zhang Xuan harrumphed coldly as the glanced at the massive formations ahead of him.

Proper etiquette dictated that a host should offer the most earnest welcome to their guests, but instead of doing so, the Zhang Clan chose to put down their guests instead. This felt extremely distasteful to Zhang Xuan.

Very well! Since this is the game you want to play, let’s see how far you can go!

Staring at the formation intently, Zhang Xuan willed in his mind, Flaws!

Hu!

A book materialized in the Library of Heaven’s Path.