Chapter 389: Exchanging Swords

"??!!"

Shock and surprise became evident on everyone’s faces the moment they heard Yi Chen’s words.

"This..."

"Grand Elder Jian...?"

"...Him? Did he just choose him?"

Murmurs of confusion filled the air, and even the person who was the focus, Grand Elder Jian, had a similar expression evident on his face.

"Are you deliberately wasting our time, you brat?" Grand Elder Yan suddenly lost his bearing and said, "We patiently waited for you to make a proper decision by giving you as much time as you needed, but instead of respecting our time, you chose to waste it? Is this a joke to you?!

After all the time we gave you, you end up choosing him as your-"

"Grand Elder Yan, mind your words."

A cold voice instantly made Grand Elder Yan pause, making him turn to his right to look towards Patriarch Su.

Unlike his usual warm countenance, a cold one was evident on Patriarch Su’s face as he glared at Grand Elder Yan with narrowed eyes.

"Meet me in my hall later in the evening. You understand?"

Patriarch Su said, his cold disposition making all the other peak masters get a hold of themselves.

"Y-Yes, Patriarch..."

Grand Elder Yan nodded in compliance despite being filled with misgivings in his heart.

With that done, Patriarch Su turned his focus towards Yi Chen, causing Yi Chen to momentarily hold his breath in panic.

’Is he angry about the fact that I didn’t choose him?’ Yi Chen thought, with worry apparent in his heart.

However, that thought soon faded away as he saw the Patriarch’s expression change from a cold one to one of seriousness as his following words entered his ears.

"Yi Chen, choosing a master, as I’ve already told you earlier, is a very important decision in a cultivator’s life.

Therefore, as someone more experienced than you, I must ask, for what reasons did you choose Grand Elder Jian? Once this decision has been made, it cannot be changed."

The seriousness Patriarch Su’s gaze carried intensified the moment he finished those words.

Before Yi Chen could answer, Grand Elder Jian added from the side, "Patriarch Su is right, Yi Chen. Are you really sure you want to become my disciple?"

His face carried a mix of confusion and amusement.

"I...I chose Grand Elder Jian because I’m interested in mastering my swordsmanship." Yi Chen answered the next moment.

"Oh?" The Patriarch’s eyes instantly widened with interest when he heard those words.

’...Interesting.’

Grand Elder Jian also couldn’t help but scratch the stubble on his chin while looking towards Yi Chen with a curious expression.

However, that couldn’t be said about the other peak masters who were finding Yi Chen’s reasoning too difficult to digest.

"Many of us here also have fairly decent swordsmanship, and along with that, we are also skilled in different professions."

One of the peak masters grumbled under his breath, though his words were crystal clear to everyone present.

"...Moreover, Grand Elder Jian is the youngest here and is still at the Second Core Building Stage. Compared to the experience each one of us has, he still has a lot to learn."

Another one stated his thoughts in a dissatisfied manner. It was evident that they didn’t appreciate the fact that Yi Chen chose Grand Elder Jian in place of them.

Hearing these grumblings, Yi Chen couldn’t help but make an uncomfortable expression on his face.

’What’s this... are the other peak masters not on friendly terms with Grand Elder Jian?’

Cough. Cough.

It was then that Patriarch Su coughed a couple of times, prompting all the other peak masters to grow silent.

With a subtle nod, his gaze went towards Yi Chen the next second as he said, "To master your swordsmanship, huh?"

A smirk escaped his lips the next second as he said, "If that’s your reason, then I must say that you’ve made the best decision in your life."

The smirk on Patriarch Su’s face turned into a smile the next moment as he continued, "You wouldn’t know it, but even though Grand Elder Jian’s cultivation is only at the Second Core Building Stage, he greatly helped me in dealing with a Grade 6 Demonic Beast years ago.

All that had only been possible because of Grand Elder Jian’s swordsmanship skills. If not for that, I might have lost my life that day..."

Patriarch Su said, with praise apparent in his voice as he gestured towards Grand Elder Jian.

’Again, with that same thing...’

Meanwhile, Grand Elder Yan, who had been silently listening to the entire exchange, rolled his eyes in annoyance when he heard Patriarch Su’s words.

A similar expression could also be seen on many of the other peak masters’ faces, something which Yi Chen was able to clearly notice.

"Patriarch Su praises me too highly. It had only been possible because the beast was grievously injured by your strikes beforehand."

Grand Elder Jian answered with only a subtle smile on his face.

"Haha, humble as always..." Patriarch Su shook his head at Grand Elder Jian’s usual behaviour and, without pursuing it further, gestured toward Yi Chen.

"Then I’ll be leaving him under your guidance. Inform him about the necessary details before sending him to the administrative building."

"I’ll do as Patriarch Su says." Grand Elder Jian nodded while clasping his hands.

"Mhm."

Turning to face Yi Chen the next second, Patriarch Su said with a pursed smile, "While it’s a little regretful that you didn’t choose me, I’m glad that you made a thoughtful decision.

Study well under Grand Elder Jian, and I hope that the next time we meet, you’ll already be an Inner Sect Disciple. Keep working hard."

"Yes, Patriarch." Yi Chen nodded decisively and bowed while clasping his hands towards him.

The next second, Patriarch Su turned around to look at all the other peak masters whose faces were etched with various emotions and said, "We’ll be meeting again at the Central Hall at the end of this month, as usual. Remember to be on time, as there’s something important we need to discuss, understand?"

"Yes, Patriarch." They all responded in unison.

Hearing this, Patriarch Su gave a short nod as his figure disappeared the next second, soon followed by other peak masters also taking the initiative.

’Hm? Why is he glaring towards Grand Elder Jian?’ Yi Chen muttered when he noticed Grand Elder Yan staring daggers at Grand Elder Jian’s direction in an openly hostile manner.

The moment they were the only peak masters that were present in the courtyard, he finally said, "You might have managed to fool the Patriarch with those passable skills of yours, but eventually your cheap tricks will be laid bare for everyone to see. I’ll be waiting for that day to occur."

"Anything else you would like to share, Second Peak Master?" Grand Elder Jian replied with an amused smile, riling Grand Elder Yan even further.

"Y-You-"

He was almost about to use words that weren’t suitable for someone of his status, but just then he was reminded of Yi Chen, who had been witnessing everything from the side.

Turning towards Yi Chen, who, just as Grand Elder Yan had anticipated, was staring straight in his direction, Grand Elder Yan snorted in annoyance.

"Stupid brat!"

He muttered under his breath before disappearing the very next moment.

Meanwhile, Yi Chen, who, despite the low sound, was able to distinctly hear Grand Elder Yan’s last words, couldn’t help but purse his lips.

’Don’t tell me he’s going to make things difficult for me from now on...’

Step

Step

Step

Hearing those footsteps, Yi Chen’s attention immediately shifted towards Grand Elder Jian, who was currently making his way towards him.

Draped in a flowery pink robe with his stubble and thick chest hair clearly visible to everyone, the person in front of him could truly be considered an oddball amongst the oddballs.

’Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that I’d end up choosing him as my master in the end...’

Yi Chen thought to himself while staring at his appearance.

However, not letting those thoughts out, he immediately clasped his hands the next moment and greeted.

"Grand Elder Jian."

"Mhm." Grand Elder Jian nodded in response and said, gesturing for Yi Chen to straighten up.

"Here."

Yi Chen had just straightened his back when he saw something flash in front of his eyes before landing in his hands.

’This...’

Seeing the sword that was resting on his palm, Yi Chen couldn’t help but look towards Grand Elder Jian with a puzzled expression.

"What are you staring at? Don’t you want to learn swordsmanship from me? Show me your current level so that I can understand just how much expertise you have when it comes to using the sword."

Grand Elder Jian said in an obvious tone.

"A-Ah, yes."

Yi Chen nodded the very next instant and, grabbing the sword properly, took an offensive stance.

’If it’s someone like him, then maybe...’

However, just then a sudden thought crossed Yi Chen’s mind and the next instant he immediately placed the sword inside his storage ring.

"What are you doing?" Grand Elder Jian asked with a frown.

"...I’ll be using this sword instead."

The moment Yi Chen said those words, his entire right arm was engulfed in fiery red Qi, turning his arm into a sharp sword.

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