Chapter 32

In the main hall of the Four Thunder Swordsmanship Sect, Daoist Siji looked at the crowd calmly.

“The Qingzhou Sword Dao Meet may not have much of a connection to the Ten Nations Academy, but I have received a secret report that the Jin Nation has sent hundreds of Sword Masters to check up on two matters.”

“The first is the case of the missing Seven Treasures Vase.”

“The second is regarding the Jin Nation Academy.”

“The Ten Nations Academy will be opened soon, and the elites of all ten nations will be selected, but that will take some time. Apart from some inner sect disciples whom the Jin Nation have already decided to send, the king of Jin Nation plans to select some young juniors to join the Jin Nation Academy.”

“In about a year’s time, ten true elites will be nurtured and sent to the Ten Nations Academy.”

Daoist Siji told them about everything clearly.

Everyone in the main hall looked extremely shocked.

“Sect Leader, does that mean that the Jin Nation’s imperial court will be sending Sword Dao powerhouses to inspect and monitor the Qingzhou Sword Dao Meet this time and pick out some outstanding juniors?”

An elder asked.

“Yes.” Daoist Siji nodded before continuing, “Besides, I already know who it is.”

Daoist Siji said with a solemn expression.

Everyone was exasperated to hear that.

“Who is it?”

“In the past, Jin Nation would indeed send many capable and competent people to scout for outstanding juniors in Jin Nation for the purpose of recruiting them to the academy and nurturing them to join the Ten Nations Academy. These competent people are all lonely by nature and are good at disguising themselves.”

“Sometimes, they might even remain anonymous for decades in a certain place. They don’t care about fame and fortune, nor do they care about glory and wealth. They’re fully focused on working for Jin Nation. Sect Leader, how did you find out about this person?”

The elders were completely astonished.

Although the Jin Nation was not that strong among the ten nations, it was still a nation.

In the world of immortal cultivation, the relationship between the sects and the imperial court was unique and worked in wonderful ways. The imperial court allowed the establishment of sects, and the major sects were accepted. As long as the core was not affected, the two would work hand in hand to protect the world.

However, the status of the imperial court was slightly higher than the immortal sects. It was not because the immortal sects were inferior, but because the two were completely different. A sect would have at most 100,000 members, but there were more than 100,000 people in the imperial court.

Of course, it mainly depended on the type of sect that the imperial court faced.

If it was the best immortal sect of Jin Nation, the imperial court of the Jin Nation would definitely have to be respectful, but the best sect in Qingzhou might not be more significant than the imperial court.

In the eyes of the people of the Four Thunder Swordsmanship Sect, the Jin Nation imperial court was like a hegemon, and it was hard for the Four Thunder Swordsmanship Sect to find out what they got up to. However, they did not expect that Daoist Siji actually found the person who was going to carry out the “inspection”.

How could this not excite the elders?

If they found out in advance, they could at least avoid provoking him even though they wouldn’t bribe him. If they could get into that person’s good books, it would only be beneficial to the Four Thunder Swordsmanship Sect.

After all, those who were sent to inspect were all elites and not incompetent fools.

The elders were astonished.

Daoist Siji did not say anything. He simply stretched his hand out.

In an instant, a painting appeared in his hand.

Immediately afterwards, the scroll was unrolled and the crowd was greeted with the scenery of a mountain peak during the evening sunset.

The mood of the painting was beautiful. The elders present had lived for centuries. Apart from cultivating, they would seek leisure in their free time.

Although they were not proficient in all four arts of music, chess, poetry, and calligraphy, they could tell at a glance that the painting was extremely beautiful.

“These are superb painting skills. The creator can be considered an expert of the nation. The mountain peak during the evening sunset is vivid and realistic, especially the person in this painting who seems to possess the etherealness and indifference of a sword cultivator. This is an excellent painting.”

“No, no, no. Not only is this a good painting, look at the person in this painting. He looks just like a Sword Immortal. Although he’s not showing his talent, he seems incredibly sharp and impressive. This contains some sword intent.”

“Ah, I originally thought that this was a fairly satisfactory piece of painting. But after hearing your comments, it does seem superb.”

“The more you look at this painting, the more frightening it gets. Only the side profile of this person has been painted, but he acts completely like a Sword Immortal.”

“Sect Leader, what does this mean?”

“What does this painting represent? Could it be?”

The elders were all filled with curiosity.

There were also some elders who seemed to have guessed something.

“Indeed, the man in this scroll is the Sword Dao powerhouse who had been sent by the king of Jin Nation.”

Daoist Siji said with a solemn expression.

After he said that, everyone began to ask questions in shock.

“Really?”

“Sect Leader, is there any evidence?”

“Yes, this person does look like an expert, but he’s so young. It seems a little unlikely, doesn’t it?”

“Yeah, Sect Leader. Did you misunderstand?”

The elders spoke up one after another, finding the idea of it too far-fetched.

However, Daoist Siji shook his head and looked at the elders, his eyes full of disappointment.

“Shallow. You guys are too shallow.”

Daoist Siji was a little helpless, and there was some disappointment in his gaze.

The elders were a bit confused, but they dared not say anything. After all, Daoist Siji had a high status in their hearts. Besides, they were very curious about the painting which indeed seemed unique.

“Do you know who painted this painting?”

Daoist Siji questioned.

“Householder Qing Lian. I’ve heard a little about this person. He’s a famous talent in Jin Nation and they say that the king of Jin Nation is particularly fond of Householder Qing Lian’s works. However he has been in disappearance lately.”

Some elders who knew a little bit about the creator of the painting began to talk about his origin.

“Yes.” Daoist Siji nodded.

He continued with a solemn expression, “The person who painted this painting is Householder Qing Lian. Although I’ve never met him before, he’s extremely talented. Not only does the king of Jin Nation like his poems, some authoritative nobles of Jin Nation are also huge fans of his writings.”

“Besides, Householder Qing Lian disappeared half a year ago. Think about it, where do you think he has gone?”

Daoist Siji gave them some clues.

“Could it be that he has joined some small sect to practice immortal cultivation?”

An elder guessed.

“Impossible. Householder Qing Lian is very famous. Why would he join a small sect? If he’s willing to join the Four Thunder Swordsmanship Sect, I’d be willing to overstep your authority and take him as a disciple.”

“Yes, how could such a talented person join a sect?”

“Oh, I know. Sect Leader, Householder Qing Lian has already received an imperial edict by the court, right?”

Many vetoed the conjecture of the first elder. Some also thought that he had been given an imperial edict by the imperial court.

Daoist Siji nodded.

“Indeed, Householder Qing Lian is incredibly talented. If he can gain the favor and is sought after by the powerful people of Jin Nation, he would naturally receive an edict by the imperial court.”

“In Jin Nation, there’s a peerless swordsman who was once a genius of the Ten Nations Academy. However, for some unknown reason, he ended up being expelled and eventually became an inspection commander of Jin Nation.”

“This person is extremely extraordinary and is highly valued by the king of Jin Nation. Householder Qing Lian has obviously met him after receiving the edict and created a painting for him because he was amazed by his temperament and sophistication.”

“Of course, the king of Jin Nation might have requested Householder Qing Lian to create a painting for him too.”

“This powerhouse doesn’t like revealing his face, but he can’t defy the orders of the king either, so he ended up having his side profile painted.”

Daoist Siji analyzed logically.

However, in the end, someone questioned with doubt.

“Sect Leader, these are just your conjectures. Is there any proof?”

It was an elder who asked that. Although he trusted Daoist Siji, he felt that there was something wrong.

However, Daoist Siji chuckled coldly before tapping the scroll.

In the next moment, a terrifying sword momentum appeared.