Jade Dynasty: I am the master of the Burning Sword, my swordsmanship is unparalleled.

Chapter 173 The Sword-Wielding Elder

Tongtian Peak, the back mountain, the Ancestral Master's Shrine.

"Snapped!"

The chess piece landed gently on the chessboard, making a crisp sound that startled the old man in front of him.

Wan Jianyi looked down at the chess piece that had just been placed, his brows furrowing slightly. After a long while, he waved his hand and said.

"Forget it, forget it, I'm not playing anymore. It's no fun playing with you."

Seeing this, Dao Xuan Zhenren was not annoyed. He simply smiled and collected the chess pieces one by one, laughing and scolding.

"If they saw you with such a shameless appearance, they probably wouldn't even recognize you."

"Hmph, you make it sound like your disciple only recognizes you. The dignified head of Qingyun Sect, why does he come to the back mountain every day to play chess with me, a man with one foot in the grave? Is that interesting?"

Wan Jianyi rolled his eyes. Over the past ten years, Wan Jianyi's personality had become much more casual than before, even resembling a bit of an old child.

Dao Xuan Zhenren was scolded by Wan Jianyi, but instead of getting angry, he nodded with a smile as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"What's wrong with the sect leader? I'm already quite old, just like you, almost ready to go to my grave. Why am I worrying about such trivial matters every day? They're managing things just fine, so let them manage!"

Over the past decade, Dao Xuan Zhenren has become more relaxed and delegated more and more power each year.

Initially, after Zhang Xiaofan took over the affairs of the Punishment Hall, Dao Xuan Zhenren would also manage the affairs of the sect.

Seeing that Zhang Xiaofan had managed things well both inside and out, Dao Xuan Zhenren almost pushed all the major responsibilities onto Zhang Xiaofan, only occasionally letting Zhang Xiaofan go over to report.

In the past two years, even regarding matters concerning Tongtian Peak, Dao Xuan Zhenren has begun to have his disciple Chang Jian assist his eldest disciple Xiao Yicai in managing them.

The current Dao Xuan Zhenren is practically a mascot; he doesn't take the initiative to inquire about many things unless others ask him.

For example, some time ago, there seemed to be some movement coming from the depths of the Western Death Swamp. It was after Xiao Yicai discussed it with Zhang Xiaofan that he volunteered to go, and Dao Xuan Zhenren just nodded.

Of course, in name only, Xiao Yicai was sent by Dao Xuan Zhenren, since Dao Xuan Zhenren was the nominal sect leader.

In fact, it wasn't just Dao Xuan Zhenren; even the other sects were interested in training disciples. It seemed that the older generation of experts in the Qingyun Sect were all considering retiring.

Many things at Feng Hui Peak are now handled by Zeng Shushu, while those at Da Zhu Peak are handled by Song Daren, and those at Xiao Zhu Peak are handled by Lu Xueqi and Wen Min.

In recent years, Luoxia Peak has been constantly looking for outstanding disciples, and Chaoyang Peak is also selecting its next head disciple.

It seems that the incident involving Daoist Cangsong ten years ago touched the hearts of the older generation of masters in the Qingyun Sect. Coupled with Zhang Xiaofan's rapid rise, this led to a generational change in the Qingyun Sect.

"Aren't you afraid that those younger generation will cause trouble and make a huge mess?"

Wan Jianyi got up, picked up a bamboo broom, and began to sweep. However, as he swung the broom, there was a hint of sharpness in it.

With his inner knot untied, and with old friends frequently visiting over the past decade, Wan Jianyi's mindset has become much more carefree.

After putting away the chess pieces and retracting his sleeve, Dao Xuan Zhenren said with a smile.

"What's there to be afraid of? Anyway, someone will clean up their messes."

Dao Xuan Zhenren, who was already nearing the end of his life, was even more carefree than Wan Jianyi. In any case, he was free from all worries and let his disciples do whatever they wanted with him.

Zhang Xiaofan paused for a moment at a side path before stepping inside and bowing. "Greetings, Sect Leader Uncle, Uncle Wan."

Dao Xuan Zhenren's expression stiffened slightly upon hearing this. After a moment of surprise, he turned around, adopted a kind and gentle demeanor, and gently patted Zhang Xiaofan's shoulder, speaking earnestly.

"If you have any ideas, just go for it. Your senior uncle will take responsibility for you."

"Hey, do you think everyone is like me, deaf even in the Shangqing Realm? Everyone else heard it a long time ago."

Wan Jianyi chuckled strangely and immediately exposed Dao Xuan Zhenren's lie, making Dao Xuan Zhenren's face quite embarrassed.

Everyone knows this, so there's no need for Wan Jianyi to remind us. It's just a matter of saving face.

But how could Wan Jianyi not know? He deliberately exposed it simply to see Dao Xuan Zhenren make a fool of himself, which was much more interesting than playing chess.

Zhang Xiaofan tried to keep his face tense, and then spoke softly.

"Sect Leader, it seems there are members of the Hehuan Sect active along the East Sea coast. I wish to personally go down the mountain. As for sect affairs, most have already been arranged, except for Senior Brother Xiao's..."

Dao Xuan Zhenren's brows were originally furrowed, but after hearing Zhang Xiaofan finish speaking, they relaxed, and he nodded gently in response, like a kind elder.

"Go ahead without worry. With your senior master in charge, there won't be any trouble. As for Yicai, I'll talk to him about it later."

"In that case, we won't disturb you two senior masters any longer."

Zhang Xiaofan responded softly, then walked into the Ancestral Hall, lit incense, and left.

Since taking over as the head of Longshou Peak ten years ago, Zhang Xiaofan has basically finished his business and left after lighting incense every time he comes to the Ancestral Hall.

After watching Zhang Xiaofan's figure leave, a deep light flashed in Wan Jian's eyes, and he said with great amazement.

"In just ten years, his cultivation has surpassed mine, and he may have already reached that level."

"He seems to have gained even more insights from the Zhuxian Ancient Sword. Perhaps, the Zhuxian Ancient Sword should be handed over to him in the future."

Dao Xuan Zhenren sighed softly, saying with a rather troubled expression.

Throughout history, the head of Qingyun Sect has always been the head of Tongtian Peak, without exception, and only the head of the sect is qualified to wield the Zhuxian Ancient Sword.

However, Dao Xuan Zhenren knew the ferocity of the Ancient Sword Zhuxian, and with Xiao Yicai's strength, he was probably not capable of wielding it. The most suitable person was Zhang Xiaofan.

However, if the Zhuxian Ancient Sword is to be passed on to Zhang Xiaofan, the rules of the Qingyun Sect must be amended. Either Zhang Xiaofan should be allowed to succeed as the sect leader, or he should be given the right to wield the Zhuxian Ancient Sword.

"You want to pass the throne to him?"

Wan Jianyi was taken aback upon hearing this and looked at Dao Xuan Zhenren with great surprise. However, Dao Xuan Zhenren shook his head slightly and denied it.

"If the throne is passed to him, it might easily sow the seeds of future disaster for his descendants!"

If all seven leaders of the sects had a chance to become sect leaders, it would easily lead to the split of the Qingyun Seven Sects, something Dao Xuan Zhenren would naturally not do.

“I think, perhaps we can let him take charge of the Zhuxian Sword. In fact, I think we can create a special position for the Sword-Holding Elder to cultivate a lineage to take charge of this ancient sword.”

Dao Xuan Zhenren said in a deep voice, his eyes flashing with a sharp light. This was an idea he had been pondering for a long time.

(End of this chapter)