Chapter 192:
With these words, the Elders were suddenly puzzled.
What's going on? Isn't he supposed to be taking Ye Kuang as his disciple?
Su Zhan? Who's Su Zhan?
Is he impressive? Could he also be a genius with a divine body?
The Elders from the sixteen disciplines exchanged confused glances, unable to recall any extraordinary talent named Su Zhan within the Tianxuan Empire.
The nearly thousand talented individuals from various regions were equally dumbfounded.
"Did I mishear that? Did I accidentally hear ‘Su Zhan' instead of ‘Ye Kuang'?"
"You didn't mishear. I heard it too!"
"Su Zhan, the one who moved an entire Five Light Treasure Mountain in a single day, is indeed astonishing. But today, he hasn't undergone the testing yet, his aptitude is unknown. Why would the Swordless Saint King want to take him as his disciple?"
"Exactly! The first round of assessment wasn't about aptitude! How could the Saint King be so hasty?"
"To be honest, if we're talking about aptitude, Young Master Ye truly amazed me today. I find it hard to believe that Su Zhan's aptitude could surpass Young Master Ye's."
"But didn't I see you shouting ‘I love you, Young Master Su' in front of Su Zhan's building yesterday?"
"Times change, and my perception has changed too! Right now, I think Young Master Ye is even more impressive!"
…
Voices of confusion and doubt filled the air.
After witnessing Ye Kuang's astounding aptitude, many young women seemed to lean more towards favoring him. The change was astonishingly rapid!
Hearing the Saint King's words, Ye Kuang's expression turned extremely unpleasant.
Incredulously, he turned to Tang Wujian and asked, "Swordless Saint King, are you here to take Su Zhan as your disciple?"
"Yes, any problem with that?"
"Him, he…"
Ye Kuang pointed at Su Zhan, filled with resentment. Finally, he gritted his teeth and, regardless of the possibility of displeasing Tang Wujian, exclaimed, "What qualifies him to be taken as a disciple by Swordless Saint King?!"
Tang Wujian's gaze grew slightly cold, and he said with displeasure, "The decision of whom to take as my disciple is mine alone. Do I need your permission for that?"
"No! That's not what I mean! It's just that Su Zhan…"
"Shut up! I'm waiting for Su Zhan's response, not for you!"
Tang Wujian's impression of Ye Kuang continued to diminish, his words not mincing his feelings.
"My apologies, Saint King!"
Ye Kuang was startled, only now realizing that he was standing before an incredibly powerful Saint King.
Instantly, he knelt down, his body trembling slightly, offering an apology to Tang Wujian.
He could be arrogant in front of these geniuses from various places, he could be arrogant in front of the Elders of the Holy Land. Even towards ordinary Saint Kings, he didn't need to be so cautious. However, in front of Tang Wujian, he understood that even the Ye family couldn't evoke much anger from him!
If he angered Tang Wujian, based on the resolute reputation of the Swordless Saint King, he might lose his life in the next moment! Kneeling on the ground, he dared not speak further. Yet, Ye Kuang's gaze was firmly fixed on Su Zhan.
His eyes were filled with resistance, with unwillingness!
At this moment, Su Zhan was also somewhat surprised. He looked at Tang Wujian and said, "You're actually a Saint King? Wait a moment, could it be that the Saint King you mentioned who would take three years for me to become his disciple is…"
Tang Wujian cleared his throat twice and hurriedly shook his head. "Cough, cough, how could that be me? If I were to take you as a disciple, it would take at most two years, no, one year… or even just six months! You would attain the Saint realm!"
Always attentive to Su Zhan's changing expression, Tang Wujian finally provided a time frame that he considered quite appropriate.
This statement caused a tremendous uproar.
"Attain the Saint realm in six months? Is Elder Tang serious?"
"…Since I reached the Saint realm, my senses have become much sharper. But today, I'm actually feeling as if there's something wrong with my ears. Attain the Saint realm in half a year??? This is really going too far!"
"This is simply outrageous!"
…
The elders from the sixteen paths shook their heads in disbelief, engaging in whispered conversations.
Just when they thought Su Zhan would be shocked and excited and readily accept the offer…
Su Zhan furrowed his brows, "Half a year… Although I'm not sure how difficult it is to attain the Saint realm, it seems like quite a long time."
Upon hearing this, the elders were left dumbfounded, feeling a sense of dumbfoundedness.
With Su Zhan's cultivation, attaining the Saint realm within ten years would be considered peerless genius material! And he found half a year to be a long time?
Where did that leave them, who had taken hundreds of years to reach the same stage???
Ye Kuang also stared at Su Zhan in disbelief. No matter how he thought about it, he couldn't have anticipated that Su Zhan wouldn't immediately agree to Tang Wujian's offer of apprenticeship!
Could it be that Su Zhan was a fool? He didn't understand the weight of a Saint King?
More than just him, many others were harboring this doubt.
Aside from Chu Xuanyi, who stood beside Su Zhan, the geniuses from various places wore bewildered expressions.
They found it hard to believe that Su Zhan would react this way! Wasn't he afraid of angering Saint King Wujian?
All these young talents turned their gazes toward Tang Wujian, wanting to see if the Saint King would erupt in anger and strike Su Zhan down with a single blow!
However, Tang Wujian's reaction surprised everyone; he remained remarkably calm, even showing a touch of nervousness.
"Su Zhan, the six months I mentioned is just a maximum estimate. In reality, that time might be significantly shortened," Tang Wujian said with a smile. "Moreover, Su Zhan, if you enter our holy land, with your talent, you will undoubtedly become a Holy Son. Are you aware that according to our rules at the Heavenly Profound Holy Land, every Holy Son must choose a Saint King to be their master for learning?"
"Beneath my humble abilities, I rank only second in the Heavenly Profound Holy Land, right after the Holy Master. Furthermore, the Holy Master isn't exclusively focused on swordsmanship, so the guidance he can provide you in refining swordsmanship is rather limited. Since you're inevitably going to have to choose a Saint King as your master, why not choose me?" Tang Wujian continued.
Must a Holy Son take a master? Su Zhan's brows slightly furrowed.
There were numerous benefits to becoming a Holy Son, greatly advantageous for his cultivation, but having an additional master… It was somewhat uncomfortable to imagine.
Seemingly understanding Su Zhan's thoughts, Tang Wujian hurriedly added, "Su Zhan, while you would be my disciple, I won't interfere with your life. You won't need to check in with me regularly, live nearby my abode, or report everything to me. You will have the freedom to make your own decisions in everything!"
"Furthermore, I'll share my insights into swordsmanship with you, even my Great Boundless Sword Sutra… Anything I know, I'll impart to you wholeheartedly. And if you ever lack resources or encounter difficulties, you can come to me. I'll be there for you at any time."
Tang Wujian's tone even held a hint of pleading, "Su Zhan, I'm also growing old. I have no intention of taking on a disciple just to serve me. I merely seek someone to pass on my legacy…"
"If that's the case, then alright!"
Su Zhan carefully considered the offer. He realized that this mentorship would mostly be in name, without interfering with his affairs. Moreover, it would bring him many conveniences and benefits. Besides, he had a relatively favorable impression of Tang Wujian, so there was no reason to decline further.
Since becoming a Holy Son required taking a Saint King as a master, he might as well choose someone who seemed agreeable.
"Su Zhan greets Master!" Su Zhan bowed and saluted.
"Oh, oh! Stand up! No need for formalities from now on. Hahaha!" Tang Wujian was ecstatic, laughing heartily.
"Su Zhan, first test your aptitude. Later, I'll take you to meet the Holy Master to discuss your appointment as a Holy Son."
"Alright."
Su Zhan nodded and turned his gaze towards Ye Kuang, who was kneeling beside the pillar, radiating jealousy, unwillingness, and even hatred. His expression remained calm as he walked over to that side.