287: 144 Chapter 2 287: 144 Chapter 2 And to have enlightenment twice in succession, are you even human?
Within the Hundred Peaks Sect, the members of the Sword Peak who were rushing toward the source of the Sword Qi had only just begun to step out when they once again saw the Sword Qi that stretched for a thousand miles across the sky; one by one, they stood completely dumbfounded.
“Two enlightenments in a single day!”
“What kind of talent is this?
What sort of monstrous genius is he!”
“This is enlightenment we’re talking about, is it really that simple for him?”
“It must be deliberate, he must be doing it on purpose, he’s showing off to our Hundred Peaks Sect!”
Around the Hundred Peaks Sect, on the other peaks, one mighty cultivator after another could no longer remain seated.
They rose and flew toward the origin of the Sword Qi.
This was enlightenment twice in a single day!
Having achieved enlightenment twice in a row, Wu Jianzi woke up and, seeing Cao Zhen before him, didn’t even care about the white robe he wore and immediately knelt down with a thump.
Cao Zhen was instantly taken aback.
What’s happening?
Do I have some sort of passive skill that makes others kneel before me?
First, it was Ling Xi on her own.
Now, one by one, why does everyone feel the need to kneel upon seeing me?
Not far off, Ling Xi and several others came flying on their Divine Weapon and saw Wu Jianzi prostrating on the ground.
Little Bei Yan immediately turned his head with a bizarre expression and asked Ling Xi, “Senior Sister, is this your disciple?
Look, he kneels so proficiently.”
“Stop talking nonsense; he is clearly kneeling to the Master.” Although Ling Xi said this, she was completely puzzled as she looked ahead; that person should be Wu Jianzi.
Why would he kneel to the Master?
Wu Jianzi placed his hands on the ground and ‘thump, thump, thump,’ struck his head against the floor three times before he finally raised his head and looked at Cao Zhen with a face full of admiration, saying sincerely, “Thank you, Peak Master, for your guidance.”
Just as Cao Zhen was about to say a few words to display his magnanimity, Wu Jianzi spoke again.
“Disciple already has a mentor and cannot take another Master.
However, you will always be my guide in the Sword Dao.
Once the disciple returns, I will report to my Master that in discussing the Dao, I have found my own guide in the Sword Dao.”
Cao Zhen was stunned, he was a guide now?
Being a guide is no trivial matter; for a cultivator, the guide is second only to a Master, a distinct and transcendent status regardless of sect affiliation.
It could be said that by acknowledging Cao Zhen as his guide, aside from restrictions due to sect rules that prevent calling Cao Zhen his Master, Wu Jianzi would treat Cao Zhen with the same respect due to a Master.
Unless Cao Zhen directly opposes Wu Jianzi’s Sword Sect, no matter who provoked Cao Zhen, Wu Jianzi would be obliged to fight to the death in Cao Zhen’s defense.
In a way, a guide is akin to half a Master.
I just came to discuss the sword and get a reward for going back, and with only a few words of persuasion, I’ve gained half a disciple?
Not far away, the several people who had just daredly arrived finally understood why Wu Jianzi had knelt before their Master.
“What does this mean?
Has Master, in a sword discussion, defeated Wu Jianzi?” Little Bei Yan asked in astonishment, “When did Master’s Sword Dao become so powerful?”
After he spoke, he was shocked to find that his three Senior Brothers and Sisters seemed to take it for granted, and he became even more perplexed, “Senior Sister, aren’t you surprised?
Aren’t you the one who questions Master the most?
What, you’ve been brainwashed by those words ‘the greatest Master’?”
“You question the Master?” Ling Xi’s expression turned cold as she instantly assumed the authority of the Senior Sister and said, “Go back and write ‘the Master is the greatest’ a hundred times.”
Bei Yan suddenly felt an urge to cry.
How gentle his Senior Sister used to be, but now, even questioning the Master was unacceptable.
Senior Sister really was brainwashed.
Xiang Zi Yu lightly patted Bei Yan’s head and sighed, “Junior Brother, you are still too young.
My Master is exactly that, my Master.
If he is my Master, then he is the Master of the main character, and there should be no surprise if the Master of the main character can do anything.”
After Wu Jianzi had paid his respects and stood up, he looked at Cao Zhen with deep reverence and said, “This disciple’s vision was too narrow.
I originally thought you had come only to win some face for the Hundred Peaks Sect and, disregarding your status as Peak Master, to discuss the sword with me.
Only now do I realize that you came aside from any sectarian bias to instruct me.
I understand that your guidance was purely intended with no ulterior motives.
In my heart, you are the guide of my Sword Dao.”
Little Bei Yan, hearing this, stepped forward and asked, “Is a guide the same as a Master?
Then what about us?
How should we address you?
Can we call you Senior Brother?”
He didn’t want anything else, just to have a group of Junior Brothers and Sisters around him every day, calling out ‘Senior Brother, Senior Brother.’ Then, when Senior Brothers and Sisters wanted someone to spar with, they could also choose from the Junior Brothers and Sisters.
Hearing this, Ling Xi quickly pulled Little Bei Yan to the side and warned, “Little Junior Brother, don’t speak carelessly.”
Wu Jianzi had already noticed others arriving and, hearing these words, immediately guessed what was happening; he turned to Cao Zhen and asked, “Senior, are these your disciples?”
“Correct, they are my four disciples.”
Pointing to Ling Xi, Cao Zhen introduced her, “This is my Senior Disciple, Ling Xi, an expert in the Path of Talisman.”
Upon hearing this, Wu Jianzi turned and gave a respectful bow to Ling Xi, earnestly calling, “Sister Ling Xi.”
Being cultivators, it’s common practice to call each other Senior Brother and Senior Sister when meeting, even if they’re not from the same sect.
His salutation was appropriate.
Although, his calling her ‘Sister’ carried a different implication than the usual.