Chapter 18: Supreme Talent

"Sword Saint Elder, this is Li Hao—the child of the Heavenly Pole," He Jianlan said to the white-haired elder beside her, as they waited for Bian Ruxue to be fetched. "To be honest, Hao’s name was personally bestowed by Emperor Yu. Take a look at this child—what do you make of him?"

The mention of Emperor Yu caused the white-haired elder to glance at the woman with a flicker of understanding. He sensed her cautious intent, and though a faint displeasure stirred within him, he said nothing. Instead, he turned his gaze fully upon the boy before him.

Li Hao, in turn, studied the old man with quiet intensity.

When he heard He Jianlan address the elder as Sword Saint, a jolt ran through him. Now he understood why Li Fu had reacted so dramatically earlier.

Back at the Pavilion of Listening to Rain, while searching through the Chess Manual, he had come across fragments of legendary tales—rumors of the most formidable martial figures of the past century. Among them, only three men had ever earned the title of Sword Saint. One resided in the Southern Sword Pavilion. Another had retreated into the endless dunes and emerald lakes of the northern wastes. The third? A phantom—seen only in glimpses, never truly known.

All three were masters of the sword, their blades echoing across the land with such ferocity that they earned the title of Sword Saint. For nearly a century, scholars and martial artists had debated which of the three was strongest—a debate that had never been settled.

And yet, his own third uncle, a man of supreme Sword Dao talent, had once shattered half of Jingzhou’s martial world and cleaved through a Spirit Beast forest—yet still, he had never been granted the title. That alone spoke volumes about the terrifying power before him now.

So… which one was this?

Their eyes met.

In an instant, Li Hao felt it—a depth so vast, so profound, it felt like staring into the ocean’s abyss. A sword intent, ancient and unyielding, coiled beneath the surface of the old man’s black, calm eyes. But it was concealed—masterfully hidden—unless one possessed the insight of the Second Stage of Sword Dao.

"Is it true," Jian Wudao said coolly, eyes fixed on the child before him, "that the Heavenly Pole’s heir failed to complete Foundation Establishment and Blood Melting? That he lacks any martial talent at all?"

He Jianlan’s expression tightened slightly. She nodded. "Indeed. That’s why we hoped the Sword Saint Elder might assess whether this child has any potential for sword cultivation. If he can one day master both Body Cultivation and Sword Practice, he might one day serve the realm—guard a border under Emperor Yu’s command."

The word guard struck a chord.

Jian Wudao’s eyes softened, just slightly.

He cared little for the petty concerns of the younger generation—so long as the elder generation of the Li family remained, he had no need to bow to their ambitions. But the Li family’s legacy… it was staggering. For centuries, they had stood as pillars of the nation. In the past few decades, border wars had flared up from time to time, and six of the nine Li brothers had fallen in battle. That alone was enough to command respect.

"Let’s take a look," Jian Wudao said, his voice calm.

He Jianlan beamed with relief and nodded eagerly.

Moments later, Bian Ruxue arrived, escorted by Xuejian. The little girl stood before the sea of adults, visibly nervous. Instinctively, she stepped behind Li Hao, shielding half her body with him.

She’d seen this before—when Li Hao had undergone Foundation Establishment and Bone Quantification. But back then, the gazes of these elders had filled her with a quiet sorrow.

"Sword Saint Elder," the Military Elder stepped forward, bowing respectfully. "This is the Sword Dao prodigy I spoke of to Master Bai Jing."

Jian Wudao gave a small nod. His presence here was due to his third disciple’s relentless insistence. The boy had described this little girl from the Divine General’s Residence with such fervor that even the Sword Saint, despite his aloof nature, couldn’t resist the call of true talent.

"Tongli Stage Tenth Level, complete. Bone structure abundant. Excellent." Jian Wudao’s eyes narrowed in approval. He had already assessed her cultivation level. Hearing she was a Ninth-Rank Combat Body—rare even among the elite—confirmed her extraordinary potential. Her future cultivation path would require no further concern from him.

"Little girl," Jian Wudao said, "perform your most skillful sword form for me."

Bian Ruxue, staring at the stern yet imposing figure before her, trembled slightly. Her hand instinctively reached back for Li Hao.

Li Hao understood—this was her moment. He gave her a warm smile and gently pushed her forward. "Don’t be afraid. Don’t panic. I’m right here."

With his encouragement, her fear melted. She nodded, then stepped aside.

Without needing He Jianlan’s command, the others silently cleared a space, making way for the small girl.

And then—she drew her sword.

Her movements were like falling snow, like a waterfall in motion—light, fluid, graceful as a startled crane. Her form was flawless, her technique refined. But beneath the precision, there was something deeper—something subtle. A hint of Return to Simplicity, a quiet harmony in the chaos.

Jian Wudao, a man who had immersed himself in the Sword Dao for nearly a century, felt his entire being ignite.

His narrow, sharp eyes snapped wide open. In their depths, a spark of pure astonishment flared.

This wasn’t just talent. This was a once-in-a-century Sword Dao prodigy.

To master a Superior-Level Sword Art to perfection at such a young age was already a feat worthy of admiration—on par with his own most gifted disciples. But this? The faint resonance of Supreme Perfection… it was beyond belief.

An extraordinary vessel for the sword.

"Hahaha!" Jian Wudao burst into laughter—loud, hearty, so thunderous that dry leaves trembled and fell from the trees around them.

Worth it. Absolutely worth it.

He hadn’t traveled all this way for nothing.

The surrounding onlookers, hearing the Sword Saint’s laughter, instantly knew: the little girl’s fate had been sealed.

Though she was already a princess within the Divine General’s Residence—lavished with honor, envied by all—now, with the Sword Saint as her master, she had truly ascended to the pinnacle. In the years to come, she might become a household name, her fame echoing through ten generations.

Instantly, every gaze in the courtyard converged on the small girl, sword in hand.

Bian Ruxue lowered her blade, feeling the weight of so many eyes upon her. She turned to Li Hao, her face tense.

But Li Hao simply grinned at her, flashing a wide, toothy smile—and gave her a big thumbs-up.

She understood. You did great.

Her shoulders relaxed. A bright, relieved smile broke across her face.

"You picked well," Jian Wudao said, still chuckling, clapping the Military Elder on the shoulder. "Truly picked well. If it weren’t for my third disciple’s insistence—his endless praise of her—I’d have never known about this rare sword vessel."

"Please, Elder, you do us too much honor," the Military Elder said, overwhelmed with gratitude. Though both men appeared to be in their sixties, the gap in their true age and status was immense.

Jian Wudao smiled, his spirits high. He stepped forward, bent slightly, and spoke gently to the girl. "Little one… you love the sword, don’t you? Would you like to come with me to cultivate?"

Bian Ruxue blinked, surprised. "Where?"

"Sword Pavilion," Jian Wudao replied with a soft smile, the name of the sacred sanctuary revered by every sword cultivator in the world. "I’ll teach you personally. I’ll give you the finest sword art this realm has to offer."

Bian Ruxue didn’t understand. "Is it far?"

"Southward, about nine thousand li," Jian Wudao said, his tone kind. "It’s quite a journey for you."

She turned immediately to Li Hao, her eyes wide. "Hao Gege… will you come too?"

Jian Wudao finally realized—he had forgotten another child.

He Jianlan stepped forward gracefully, her smile serene. "Sword Saint Elder, you’ve yet to examine Hao’s Sword Dao talent. He’s said to possess a rare sensitivity to the sword."

"Yes, Elder," Li Fu chimed in, his voice trembling with excitement. "While Snow was training, Young Master often watched from the side. He even offered her valuable advice. Though he’s never practiced himself, I’ve seen how deeply he understands the sword—there’s talent there."

Jian Wudao raised an eyebrow. He glanced at Li Hao, his brow furrowing slightly. But with He Jianlan standing nearby, he merely said, "Very well. Give him a sword. Let him demonstrate any technique he likes."

"Thank you, Sword Saint Elder!" Li Fu cried, overjoyed. He turned to Bian Ruxue. "Snow Lady, please lend Young Master your sword for a moment."

Bian Ruxue nodded obediently and handed her blade to Li Hao.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end