Chapter 482 - 480: The Qualifications of a Master

Generally, cultivators in the Earth Element Realm only comprehend Sword Intent Fur, or at best, a Sword Intent Prototype.

Sword Intent could only be considered "true Sword Intent" once it reached the Initial Realm!

However, this was a level of comprehension only attainable by those in the Celestial Pool Realm, yet it had just appeared in a cultivator at the Middle Tier Earth Element Realm.

"Wind Rises!"

Luo Tian executed the First Technique of the Sky Wind Divine Sword!

WHOOSH!

A gale coalesced and swept forth with surging, unparalleled force, unleashing the irresistible power of the wind itself.

"What?"

Tu Gu was aghast. His own Sword Intent was instantly suppressed by forty to fifty percent!

RIP!

His Sword Dao attack was instantly torn to shreds by Luo Tian’s strike, as if it were made of paper.

Tu Gu hastily tried to block with his sword, but he was a step too late.

CLANG! BANG!

Luo Tian’s swordsmanship was too swift. His attack descended in an instant—a brilliant flash of Sword Qi, like a cyan whirlwind, striking the Treasure Sword in Tu Gu’s hand.

The impact sent a numbing shock through Tu Gu’s arms. The webbing of his hand tore, and his Treasure Sword was knocked from his grasp.

SLICE!

A neat gash opened across his chest, spraying blood.

Luo Tian’s sudden, explosive strike stunned everyone present!

The overwhelmingly powerful Tu Gu had been defeated and grievously wounded in an instant. The fight was over!

"That’s Sword Intent! Someone at the Middle Tier Earth Element Realm has comprehended Sword Intent!"

Elder Hu of the Profound Frost Sect had a look of utter shock on his face as he drew a sharp breath.

Generally, the Initial Achievement of a True Intent was something only those at the Celestial Pool Realm could comprehend!

It was already considered impressive for a cultivator at the High Tier Earth Element Realm to comprehend a True Intent Prototype.

Most cultivators at the Low or Middle Tier of the Earth Element Realm only ever managed to grasp True Intent Fur!

’Just how terrifying is Luo Tian’s talent in the Sword Dao?’

Elder Hu had sent Yan Xiaoxia up first partly to show off!

Yan Xiaoxia possessed a powerful and special constitution, giving her immeasurable potential. An Elder from the Tai Yuan Sect had even made a direct offer to take her on as a disciple.

But Luo Tian, who had grasped true Sword Intent, showed a potential that was hardly inferior to Yan Xiaoxia’s. He was equally, breathtakingly brilliant!

The higher-ups of the Tai Yuan Sect were also dumbfounded.

’How could we have such a genius in our own Sect and not know about it?’

"What’s his name?"

A sharp glint flashed in Yan Yufeng’s eyes.

"He seems to be... called Luo Tian!"

A female elder next to him said.

The truth was, Luo Tian’s cultivation had been low, and he was merely an Auditor Disciple, so the Sect’s leadership hadn’t paid him much mind.

"Luo... Tian?"

The excited look on Yan Yufeng’s face instantly froze, replaced by astonishment and disbelief!

"Elder Yu, you’re not mistaken, are you?"

Yan Yufeng asked again.

He had a five-year wager with an enemy!

Within five years, they would have their respective disciples face off to settle the score!

Yan Yufeng had asked at the time and learned that his rival’s disciple was named Luo Tian.

A little over half a year ago, he had even specifically investigated him.

Luo Tian hailed from a lesser world and had later been practicing cultivation with the Mu Family. His cultivation was only at the Third Layer of the Earth Element Realm.

After that, Yan Yufeng hadn’t bothered to keep track of him.

Frankly, the gap between Mu Yunshi’s disciple and his own was simply too vast!

But how, all of a sudden...

Luo Tian had shown up on the Tai Yuan Sect’s Main Peak and become a Main Peak Disciple!

’Isn’t that leap a bit too much?’

Yan Yufeng’s expression slowly turned grim.

’Given Luo Tian’s performance today, it’s not impossible that he could catch up to He Yunkong within five years!’

...

On a boulder not far away.

The gaunt and sallow-skinned Steward Lü gazed into the distance, his eyes deep and murky.

He had heard that the newly promoted Main Peak Disciples would be present at this martial arts exchange, so he had come to observe Luo Tian.

But what he observed gave him a real shock!

’Sword Intent! True Sword Intent!’

Steward Lü had been trying to figure out a foolproof way to eliminate Luo Tian.

But now, he felt a sense of urgency.

’If I can’t eliminate Luo Tian soon, I’m afraid I’ll never get another chance!’

’I must kill him! Otherwise, if he’s allowed to mature, the Human Race will gain another supreme Great Power!’

’What’s more, the Sea Demon Palace has raised its bounty on Luo Tian again... What secrets is this kid hiding?’

...

COUGH! COUGH!

On the Martial Arts Arena, Tu Gu coughed up a few mouthfuls of blood. He stared at the wound on his chest, then looked at Luo Tian, his eyes filled with shock and bewilderment.

He had thought victory was within his grasp.

But in an instant, he had been defeated, and he hadn’t even had time to process it.

A cold, dark light surged in Tu Gu’s eyes and his anger flared, but he quickly suppressed it.

"Tu Gu, how are your injuries?"

An Elder from Jueying Island asked with concern.

Tu Gu’s performance this time had exceeded the expectations of everyone on Jueying Island, and the higher-ups now held him in high regard.

"Luo Tian, why did you have to be so ruthless?"

Yan Yufeng suddenly spoke up, his tone sharp and scolding.

"Hm?"

Luo Tian was a little puzzled.

’Even if I was a bit rough, I only injured a disciple from another Sect. Does this Square-faced Elder really need to lecture me?’

"Elder Yan, injuries are unavoidable in a martial arts exchange. As long as the injuries aren’t too severe, it should be fine."

A female elder from the Tai Yuan Sect said.

A sharp glint flashed in Luo Tian’s eyes.

’My master’s enemy is named Yan Yufeng. Could it be this man?’

’I originally thought my master’s enemy didn’t know I’d joined the Tai Yuan Sect, and that I’d have some time to myself in peace.’

’I never expected Yan Yufeng to be at this multi-Sect martial arts exchange.’

’Now I’ve basically exposed myself and put Yan Yufeng on alert.’

’Still, by showing my skills at this exchange, I’ve also caught the attention of the other higher-ups... You win some, you lose some.’

He calmed his thoughts.

Luo Tian walked off the stage.

"Master, you’re amazing!"

From within the Profound Frost Sect’s crowd, Yan Xiaoxia shouted, cheering and jumping for joy.

Luo Tian wore an odd expression.

’I haven’t even agreed to take her as my disciple, yet she’s calling me ’Master’ so smoothly.’

Luo Tian waved and returned to the Tai Yuan Sect’s ranks.

But suddenly,

Elder Hu from the Profound Frost Sect shouted, "Xiaoxia! He... he’s your Master?"

Elder Hu’s eyes went wide.

He never would have thought that Yan Xiaoxia’s Master would be a young man!

The higher-ups from factions like Jueying Island, Purple Mist Palace, and the Tai Yuan Sect couldn’t help but be stunned as well.

’Yan Xiaoxia’s mysterious Master is Luo Tian?’

Today, this Auditor Disciple at the Peak of Earth Element Realm Fourth Layer was truly delivering one shock after another!

"Xiaoxia, how could you so casually take someone as your master?"

Elder Hu reprimanded her, somewhat annoyed.

Luo Tian’s innate talent was certainly astonishing, his aptitude for the Sword Dao was frightening, and his strength was immense.

But none of these were the qualifications for being a proper Master!

A Master’s responsibility is to teach their disciple.

Luo Tian was so young, and his cultivation was only at the Middle Tier Earth Element Realm. What could he possibly teach Yan Xiaoxia?

Besides, with Yan Xiaoxia’s astonishing cultivation speed, she might even surpass Luo Tian in a few years. How would Luo Tian teach her then?

"When choosing a master, you must choose a Martial Artist who is virtuous and respected, deeply experienced, and broadly knowledgeable!"

Elder Hu continued, intending to make Yan Xiaoxia find a new master.

At this time, Yan Yufeng spoke with a stern and imposing expression, "Luo Tian, you are acting far too recklessly. You should be focusing on your own diligent cultivation. When would you have time to act as someone’s Master? Not to mention, you have nothing to teach them."

"Yan Xiaoxia has peerless talent. If you hold her back, her future could be ruined."

Yan Yufeng harshly admonished Luo Tian.

The other higher-ups of the Tai Yuan Sect also felt it was highly inappropriate for Luo Tian to take Yan Xiaoxia as a disciple.

But it was someone else’s business, and Luo Tian’s earlier performance had been stunning, which pleased them, so they didn’t say anything.

"I was the one who wanted to become his disciple!"

Yan Xiaoxia said to Yan Yufeng, defending Luo Tian.

"A Master’s responsibility is to guide a disciple onto the correct path. Luo Tian is young and inexperienced. Perhaps in a few decades, he will be qualified to be a Master, but right now, he is not!"

Yan Yufeng said coldly.

After learning Luo Tian’s identity, his mind was in turmoil, and he wanted to suppress him.

Moreover, he could use this opportunity to take a breathtakingly talented genius like Yan Xiaoxia as his own disciple.

"Luo Tian, if you truly have Yan Xiaoxia’s best interests at heart, you should persuade her to take a Tai Yuan Sect Elder as her master."

Yan Yufeng said with a faint smile.

He was the first person present to propose taking Yan Xiaoxia as a disciple!

And Luo Tian, as an Auditor Disciple of the Tai Yuan Sect, also had to listen to his orders!

Yan Yufeng wanted to force Luo Tian to hand Yan Xiaoxia over to him!

Luo Tian’s face darkened.

He wasn’t opposed to having Yan Xiaoxia take another Celestial Level Martial Artist as her master.

But Yan Yufeng was too domineering. If Yan Xiaoxia really did take a Tai Yuan Sect Elder as her master, it would most likely be Yan Yufeng!

’How could I let Yan Xiaoxia become the disciple of my master’s enemy?’

Besides, Yan Yufeng wouldn’t necessarily teach Yan Xiaoxia with any real dedication.

"Elder Yan, I do not feel that I am unqualified to be her Master."

Luo Tian said, his tone neither servile nor overbearing.

’I will not hand Yan Xiaoxia over to Yan Yufeng!’

BOOM!

The moment he spoke, the crowd erupted!

How arrogant!

This was what everyone was thinking!

Even if Luo Tian’s strength was great and his Sword Dao talent was peerless, it was still too early for him to be someone else’s Master.

Especially a genius with limitless potential like Yan Xiaoxia!

Wasn’t Luo Tian afraid of his big words coming back to bite him?

"Alas, it’s understandable for the young to be proud, but you are far too arrogant!"

Yan Yufeng wasn’t angry; instead, a faint smile appeared on his face.

Luo Tian’s arrogant words had given him the perfect excuse to put him in his place!

"How about this: since you feel you’re qualified to be her Master, then please, demonstrate it."

"As a master, pointing out a disciple’s flaws in Martial Arts, helping them improve, and reach new heights—this is the most basic requirement!"

Yan Yufeng said nonchalantly.

"Yan Xiaoxia, listen carefully..."

Yan Yufeng sent a voice transmission to Yan Xiaoxia.

「A short while later.」

Yan Yufeng smiled and said, "Alright, now, perform your swordsmanship again, just as I told you!"

Not daring to disobey, Yan Xiaoxia went onto the Martial Arts Arena and performed her swordsmanship!

The many Celestial Level Martial Artists present had sharp eyes. They instantly recognized the swordsmanship Yan Xiaoxia was performing as the very same one she had used in her earlier fight.

However, compared to before, its power had increased by a full thirty percent. Her swordsmanship was more fluid and contained several new variations!

"Just by watching for a few moments, he was able to improve Yan Xiaoxia’s swordsmanship by so much! Truly worthy of a Tai Yuan Sect Elder, so experienced and knowledgeable!"

"As expected of Elder Yan, I’m truly impressed!"

Several elders and higher-ups from the other Sects sighed, admitting they were no match.

Elder Hu also wore a look of admiration; in this regard, he was no match for Yan Yufeng!

"Yan Xiaoxia, Elder Yan is a true Master! You aren’t even his disciple, yet he gave you guidance without reservation! What has Luo Tian ever taught you?"

Elder Hu said in a grave and earnest tone.

Yan Xiaoxia was speechless.

Luo Tian hadn’t planned on taking her as a disciple before and indeed hadn’t taught Yan Xiaoxia anything.

"What are you waiting for? Go and formally accept him as your master!"

Elder Hu continued, actually telling Yan Xiaoxia to directly take Yan Yufeng as her master.

A smile played on Yan Yufeng’s lips as he turned to Luo Tian. "Luo Tian, didn’t you believe you were qualified? Why don’t you try giving her some pointers?"