As Yu Wenqiu said, the trial of the Sword-Questioning Stone was indeed outrageously expensive.
Gu Chengming went to the Foreign Affairs Hall to inquire, and looking at the amount of contribution points that could bankrupt him, he felt his teeth ache.
At his current saving speed, let alone once a month, he might not even be able to stand before that stone for the time it takes an incense stick to burn, even after saving for three to five years.
However, all roads lead to Rome; there are ways to play even without money.
He still had a backup plan.
.................................................................................................
Huiyuan Gate, Elder Hall.
Ren Wencai sat in the main seat, toying with two warm jade walnuts in his hand, his gaze somewhat nonchalant.
He looked at Gu Chengming, who was bowing below the platform, and chuckled inwardly.
This kid only comes when he needs something.
He had just given him a favor a few days ago, and now he was back, most likely seeking something.
But Ren Wencai was not in a hurry.
As a superior, maintaining composure was a mandatory skill. He slowly sipped his tea, leaving Gu Chengming to wait for a while, and only when his teacup was empty did he seem to come back to his senses, slowly opening his mouth:
“Little Gu, why have you come today?”
Gu Chengming didn't beat around the bush, cupping his hands again:
“This disciple has come today with a request.”
“Oh?”
Ren Wencai raised an eyebrow, but instead of directly asking what it was, he changed the subject and asked casually:
“The request is not urgent. How have you been practicing the Flowing Light Sword Shadow that this old man passed on to you a few days ago?”
As he asked, he mentally prepared his speech.
These past few days, he had “strolled” around that small courtyard quite a bit, personally seeing that this kid either spent his days staring blankly at herbs or practicing that outdated basic sword manual, never once touching the Flowing Light Sword Shadow.
His original intention was to use this opportunity to reprimand the kid, to let him know not to be overly ambitious.
Once the kid stammered speechless, he would then sternly lecture him, and finally reluctantly agree to his request. This combination of subtle pressure and granting a favor would establish his authority and earn goodwill, wouldn't it be wonderful?
However.
The next moment, Gu Chengming's action caused the reprimand on Ren Wencai's lips to get stuck in his throat.
Gu Chengming's expression was calm, and he said nothing, merely resting his right hand lightly on the wooden sword he carried at his waist.
“Zheng—”
An extremely subtle yet incredibly clear sword hum suddenly rang out.
There was no superfluous charging, nor any complex starting stance.
Gu Chengming's figure flickered slightly, and he seemed to transform into a streak of flowing light in that instant.
The next moment, a faint cyan sword mark appeared out of thin air on the stone pillar in the center of the grand hall, penetrating three fen into the stone, with a cut as smooth as a mirror.
Gu Chengming himself, however, still stood in place, as if he had never moved, only his hand that had been resting on the sword hilt was now lowered.
“....”
The entire grand hall fell into a deathly silence.
The jade walnuts in Ren Wencai's hand stopped turning. He stared wide-eyed at the sword mark on the stone pillar, his mind a blank.
How was this possible?! He clearly saw that this kid hadn't practiced it at all!
Is this what they call a genius? Learning it with one glance? Mastering it after a nap?
Is this even human?
What shocked Ren Wencai even more was that within that seemingly unremarkable sword mark, he actually sensed an extremely peculiar aura.
It wasn't the upright, sharp Sword Intent of ordinary sword cultivators.
Instead, it was an aura that seemed specifically born to counter its own kind.
“This...”
Ren Wencai muttered to himself.
How does this feeling seem like it's specifically for restraining sword cultivators?
Although the Flowing Light Sword Shadow originated from the Cloud Moon Sect and was considered a proper fast sword art, how did it change so much in this kid's hands?
What is this? A special attack against sword cultivators?
Ren Wencai was utterly baffled, even starting to suspect if there was a problem with the secret manual he had given, or if the kid had gone astray in his cultivation, falling into qi deviation and cultivating some unorthodox path.
But he dared not show any of it on his face.
Are you kidding? Just now, he was about to scold him for “not working hard,” and then the guy unleashed a powerful move right in your face.
If he showed surprise now, wouldn't it make him, an elder, seem ignorant?
Ren Wencai took a deep breath, forcing a “everything is under control” relieved smile onto his face.
“Good! Good!”
He clapped his hands and laughed, his tone full of praise:
“I didn't expect you to have such comprehension, mastering the essence of this sword move in just a few days. It seems this old man truly didn't misjudge you.”
“Cough cough.”
To cover his embarrassment, he lightly coughed twice and quickly changed the subject:
“Tell me, what exactly have you come to ask this old man for today?”
Gu Chengming knew when to stop, and didn't expose the elder's slightly stiff acting, respectfully saying:
“This disciple has recently had some insights in cultivation, but also feels his mind is clouded, and his Sword Intent is difficult to achieve. I heard there is a Sword-Questioning Stone within the sect that can temper the dao heart and question one's true self.”
“Therefore, this disciple dares to ask for the Elder's permission to allow this disciple to try the Sword-Questioning Stone.”
“Sword-Questioning Stone?”
Ren Wencai frowned slightly upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
Although the Sword-Questioning Stone was miraculous, it was usually only used by disciples who had reached the second realm or even the third realm, who were about to condense Sword Intent or encountered a mental demon bottleneck.
This kid is only at the First Realm, Fifth Level, why is he joining in the fun?
Wait.
A flash of inspiration struck Ren Wencai's mind, and his gaze fell once more on the sword mark, his heart suddenly leaping.
“Had some insights in cultivation... Sword Intent is difficult to achieve...”
Could it be...
This kid not only learned the sword move, but has even touched the threshold of “Sword Intent”?!
Wanting to condense Sword Intent at the First Realm, Fifth Level?
One must know, how many second realm cultivators might not even touch the edge of Sword Intent in their entire lives, and this kid has only just started cultivating?
If he really succeeds...
He almost subconsciously wanted to agree immediately.
Let alone one Sword-Questioning Stone trial, even ten or a hundred times, as long as it could help this kid condense Sword Intent, it would be an extremely profitable deal!
But he was an old hand after all.
The more critical the moment, the more he needed to remain calm and not appear too eager, otherwise, the kid might become arrogant due to favor, making him difficult to manage in the future.
Ren Wencai forcibly suppressed his inner excitement, his expression once again becoming calm and indifferent, even carrying a hint of scrutiny.
His fingers lightly tapped on the table, making rhythmic “thud-thud” sounds, seemingly weighing the pros and cons.
“The Sword-Questioning Stone is a treasured artifact of the sect. Activating it once incurs significant cost, and it should not be used lightly by those without great merit or virtue.”
He spoke slowly, his tone flat, revealing no emotion.
“Although you are a disciple this old man values, rules are rules after all. If this precedent is set, and other disciples follow suit in the future, wouldn't the sect fall into chaos?”
Gu Chengming understood.
This was about negotiating terms.
He wasn't flustered, just quietly waiting for what came next.
Sure enough, Ren Wencai changed the subject:
“However, rules are dead, but people are alive.”
“Since you have such a heart for the Dao, this old man, as your elder, naturally cannot stand by and do nothing.”
“How about this.”
Ren Wencai leaned forward slightly, his gaze sharp, staring intently at Gu Chengming:
“This old man can arrange the Sword-Questioning Stone trial for you. Not just once, but if you need it, this old man can give you three chances.”
“But...”
He raised a finger and gently wiggled it:
“This old man is making an exception for you, so you must also provide something to prove you are worthy of this old man's efforts.”
“The upcoming Disciple Assessment...”
Ren Wencai didn't finish his sentence, merely looking at Gu Chengming meaningfully.
His meaning was clear.
Merely “passing” the assessment was no longer enough to satisfy his appetite.
Since you, kid, gave me such a big surprise, then on this stage, you must put on the loudest show for this old man!
Gu Chengming raised his head, cupped his hands again, his voice clear:
“This disciple understands.”
“For this assessment, this disciple will give his all, and will certainly not fail the Elder's high expectations.”
........................................................
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