Xu Taiping couldn’t quite explain why, but even without the other party’s explicit admission, he was convinced that this person was indeed Elder Sansan.

“I’ve taught you for three years, yet until today, I’ve never shown myself. Do you hold any resentment towards me?” The elder spoke with his back to Xu Taiping.

“No,” Xu Taiping replied, shaking his head.

“Liar,” the elder snorted coldly.

“Though you never showed yourself, Elder Sansan, you left written guidance on the wooden board every day without fail for three years. How could I possibly harbor any resentment?” Xu Taiping explained earnestly.

“So, you think it’s better for me not to show myself?” the elder asked again.

“Elder Sansan, you should act according to your own will. There’s no need to consider the disciples’ opinions,” Xu Taiping responded.

“Do you consider me your master with this method of teaching?” The elder adjusted his sleeves.

“Absolutely,” Xu Taiping nodded firmly.

“If you are willing, Elder Sansan, I will go down the mountain right now to offer you the tea of apprenticeship,” he continued.

Just based on Elder Sansan’s unbroken guidance over the past three years, Xu Taiping was more than willing to acknowledge him as his master.

“No need,” Elder Sansan suddenly waved his hand.

“I was merely entrusted by your Peak Master to give you some pointers. Over these three years, all I’ve done is carve words on the cliff, without teaching you a single sword move. How could I be considered your master?” he said firmly.

Although Xu Taiping didn’t care much about formal titles, he couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed hearing Elder Sansan’s words.

He thought perhaps Elder Sansan found his talent lacking, not worthy of being his disciple.

In these three years, although Elder Sansan only taught him to carve words with the sword, every stroke contained profound sword-flying techniques.

Even though Elder Sansan never explicitly pointed this out, Xu Taiping’s rapid progress in sword flying was the best proof.

Even Fairy Lingyue found Elder Sansan’s teaching method quite novel.

Both of them believed that Elder Sansan was likely a reclusive great sword cultivator of the Qingxuan Sect.

Especially considering what Peak Master Zhao Qian mentioned in his letter—that Elder Sansan’s swordsmanship was second only to Uncle Nine.

So it was understandable that such a person would be picky about accepting disciples.

“May I ask, Elder Sansan, why you chose to reveal yourself to me today?” Xu Taiping asked curiously, looking at Elder Sansan’s back.

After three years of never showing himself, there must be a reason for today’s sudden appearance.

“I made a bet with your Peak Master. If you could persist in carving words with the sword as I instructed for three years without a single complaint, I would reveal myself to teach you swordsmanship,” Elder Sansan turned to look at Xu Taiping.

At this moment, Elder Sansan seemed to have used some method to conceal his aura and appearance, so Xu Taiping could only see a vague outline.

But Xu Taiping didn’t mind at all; his attention was entirely on Elder Sansan’s words—”I would reveal myself to teach you swordsmanship.”

“Thank you, Elder Sansan!” Xu Taiping sincerely cupped his hands in gratitude.

For the past three years, he had been practicing the sword every day, accumulating many questions about swordsmanship.

“Are you also practicing with a saber?” Elder Sansan didn’t immediately start teaching but asked instead.

“Yes, I have been practicing with a saber,” Xu Taiping nodded.

“Why practice with a sword if you already practice with a saber?” Elder Sansan asked again.

“For me, the saber is currently the most powerful means of attacking the enemy. As for why I practice with a sword, I don’t have an answer yet. I just feel that I will definitely need a sword on my future path of cultivation,” Xu Taiping answered honestly.

Elder Sansan was not angry at Xu Taiping’s response; instead, he nodded slightly.

“So, you intend to use the sword as your final safeguard and support on your path of cultivation, correct?” Elder Sansan stared intently into Xu Taiping’s eyes.

Xu Taiping hadn’t thought that deeply about it initially.

But with Elder Sansan’s question, he suddenly realized that deep down, he did have this intention.

“Thank you, Elder Sansan, for enlightening me,” Xu Taiping gratefully cupped his hands.

He had been puzzled by the question of why he wanted to practice with a sword for a long time, feeling that he had an answer but couldn’t articulate it until Elder Sansan’s words today.

“If that’s your reason for practicing with a sword, then there’s a sword technique that suits you well,” Elder Sansan said.

“May I ask, Elder Sansan, what kind of sword technique it is?” Xu Taiping looked at Elder Sansan with burning eyes.

“The Hidden Sword Technique,” Elder Sansan said calmly.

“The Hidden Sword Technique?” Xu Taiping didn’t quite understand what Elder Sansan meant by “hidden sword.”

“The Hidden Sword Technique is a bit of insight I gained while discussing swordsmanship with a friend,” Elder Sansan stroked his beard and continued:

“This sword technique has no specific moves, and the heart technique mantra is merely auxiliary. The key lies in the word ‘hidden.’ The sword can be the one in your hand or the one in your heart.

If it’s the sword in your hand, you keep it sheathed. If it’s the sword in your heart, you keep it hidden within.

This sword won’t help you repel enemies in daily life, won’t make you shine in front of others, won’t help you subdue demons, and you might even forget its existence.

Only when your fists are shattered, your long saber broken, your spine fractured, your Dao heart crumbled, and you have nothing left, will you remember this sword.

This sword can be your fists when you can’t lift your hands; it can be your weapon when your saber is broken; it can be your spine when it’s fractured; it can rebuild your Dao heart when it’s shattered.

No matter how desperate the situation, this sword will be there for you, to protect you, to help you fight, to guard your Dao heart.”

Elder Sansan’s voice was not loud, and his tone was calm, but every word thundered in Xu Taiping’s mind.

“Xu Taiping!” Elder Sansan suddenly shouted, startling Xu Taiping, “Do you want this sword or not?”

Awakened as if struck by lightning, Xu Taiping responded without hesitation:

“Yes, I want it!”