Being able to defeat the Second Elder was enough to prove Liu Zixuan’s strength.

Even if he was a brand-new disciple, so new he couldn’t be newer, at this moment he already had the qualifications to cross swords with Sword Venerable Ling Xiao!

Toward Liu Zixuan, aside from being convinced, the disciples had no courage to argue.

And as for Gu Huaqiu.

He had originally planned to plot Liu Zixuan’s death, but never in his wildest dreams did he expect that his sneak attack would fail and instead he’d get slapped in the face by Liu Zixuan!

Now that the Second Elder had directly taken Liu Zixuan’s side, Gu Huaqiu had undoubtedly become the target of everyone’s criticism.

It was obvious Liu Zixuan already knew about the Second Elder and Gu Huaqiu’s scheme; if he were to expose it directly in front of everyone, then not only would Gu Huaqiu fail to keep his status as the Second Elder’s disciple, he would be directly expelled from the Sect, and might even be killed by the Sect Leader!

All of this had long since doomed them to a life-or-death feud!

However, for now, Liu Zixuan did not tear apart their plot. Although he didn’t know why himself, at this point Gu Huaqiu could no longer afford to keep making mistakes.

Putting away that gloomy expression, he said in a deep voice, "Since he can defeat the Second Elder, then he naturally has the qualifications to cross swords with the Sect Leader."

"Good! Since no one has any objections, we’ll rest for a few minutes and then compare swords in the main hall. It’s just a spar, I don’t want anyone in the Sect getting hurt again!" Sword Venerable Ling Xiao said, then turned and walked back.

The Great Elder gave a strange look toward the outside, then lowered his voice to speak to the Sect Leader, "Xiao, why do I feel like something’s off!"

"We compare swords first, and investigate afterwards."

As the Sect Leader of a Hidden Sect, how could he not see there was something fishy here? But with all the disciples present, he couldn’t just expose it; otherwise it would cause turmoil in the Sect, and things would be hard to clean up then.

"Looks like Zixuan also doesn’t want to put us on the spot. Didn’t expect this kid, at such a young age, to know to share our burdens. We really didn’t misjudge him!" The Great Elder pursed his lips and smiled.

Sword Venerable Ling Xiao snorted with a laugh. "But he’s already got a girlfriend!"

"So what if he has a girlfriend!" The Great Elder huffed like a little woman, then walked back to his seat and sat down.

When the disciples returned to the main hall, Liu Zixuan blocked Gu Huaqiu’s way at the entrance.

Gu Huaqiu furrowed his brows. "What do you want?"

"I should be the one asking you that." Liu Zixuan said with a mocking smile, "Stop thinking about playing tricks. If it wasn’t for the fact that Profound Sword Sect has treated me well, I’d have killed you just now!"

"You!" Gu Huaqiu’s eyes instantly bulged!

"Do as you see fit." Liu Zixuan muttered, then also returned to the hall.

It was only because Profound Sword Sect had treated Liu Zixuan well that he hadn’t directly exposed Gu Huaqiu and the Second Elder’s ambush just now. After all, once exposed, it would inevitably cause upheaval in the Sect. Then there would be no sword contest, and the whole Sect would be thrown into chaos.

Liu Zixuan was about to leave this place and didn’t want to stir up more trouble over such a small matter.

Just as Liu Zixuan had found his footing, Old Qing leaned over. "Gu Huaqiu cannot be left alive!"

"Of course I know he can’t be left alive, but we can’t exactly make a move here." Liu Zixuan spread his hands helplessly.

Old Qing nodded. "Find an opportunity to finish him off. I just feel that if he keeps living, something bad will happen!"

Liu Zixuan knit his brows, his eyes turning cold as he looked toward Gu Huaqiu opposite him.

Feeling Liu Zixuan’s ice-cold gaze, Gu Huaqiu lowered his head hard, whether he didn’t dare to meet his eyes or for some other reason...

About a few minutes later, Sword Venerable Ling Xiao rose from his seat, smiling slightly as he said, "Zixuan, can we begin?"

"I’ll listen to the Sect Leader." Liu Zixuan cupped his fists and smiled.

"Good!"

Sword Venerable Ling Xiao walked forward with his sword. Looking at everyone, he said with a smile, "By now you’ve all seen Liu Zixuan’s strength. I won’t waste words. During this sword match, how much you learn all depends on your own aptitude!"

"Yes!" all the disciples responded in unison.

Liu Zixuan drew the Nameless Sword. "Sect Leader, please instruct me!"

As soon as the words fell, he raised his sword and shot toward Sword Venerable Ling Xiao. His sword techniques within the Flowing Clouds were as smooth as running water, his attacks fierce, his moves ruthless; he did not hold back just because the opponent was the Sect Leader!

Sword Venerable Ling Xiao said with a smile, "This sword and I share the same name—both are Ling Xiao!"

The Sect Leader lifted the Ling Xiao Sword, let out a shout, and directly engaged Liu Zixuan in battle.

What is the Gentleman’s Sword?

This match between the two was probably enough to explain the three words "Gentleman’s Sword."

It was truly gentlemen comparing swords. Neither of them used the advantage of their Realm to attack, nor did they reveal their trump cards. It was a pure sword duel.

They compared sword techniques, sword Dao, and Sword Heart!

Liu Zixuan’s sword techniques had two styles: fierce when attacking, steady when defending. Sword Venerable Ling Xiao’s sword, however, was ever-changing—at times as fierce as Liu Zixuan’s, at times as heavy as the Second Elder’s, and at times it turned offense into defense, illusory and elusive, impossible to fathom.

Their exhilarating sword match finally drew to a close after an hour.

Sword Venerable Ling Xiao wiped the sweat from his forehead and cupped his fists toward Liu Zixuan. "Ling Xiao is impressed! I didn’t expect you to have already grasped the essence of the Sword Dao. If we keep going, I’d just end up embarrassing myself!"

At these words, the disciples on the side were in an uproar!

Sword Venerable Ling Xiao had actually addressed himself as "Ling Xiao" to Liu Zixuan, instead of calling himself Sect Leader or Sword Venerable. Didn’t that mean Liu Zixuan and the Sect Leader were on the same level?

While everyone was still in shock, Liu Zixuan sheathed the Nameless Sword. His entire body was drenched in sweat.

He bent slightly at the waist. "Sword Venerable Ling Xiao, you flatter me. Your sword is very strong. This junior learned a lot from you!"

"Wh-what’s going on?"

"Yeah, we couldn’t tell who was winning during the fight, but now that it’s over, why are both the Sect Leader and Liu Zixuan saying they lost?"

The disciples were all the more confused.

Purely in terms of Sword Dao, they could be said to be evenly matched. But if it really were a life-and-death battle, Liu Zixuan wouldn’t necessarily have the upper hand.

Because he could feel that Sword Venerable Ling Xiao was definitely at the Second Heaven of the Emperor Realm!

At the Second Heaven of the Emperor Realm, one must have comprehended at least three types of Heaven and Earth Elements. Liu Zixuan was only at the Half-Step Emperor Realm; how could he possibly defeat him?

Fortunately, this was merely a pure sword duel.

Of course, in terms of Realm, Liu Zixuan was inferior to Sword Venerable Ling Xiao, but in terms of potential, Sword Venerable Ling Xiao couldn’t compare to Liu Zixuan.

After all, Sword Venerable Ling Xiao was already middle-aged, while Liu Zixuan was still in his youth. When Liu Zixuan reached Sword Venerable Ling Xiao’s age, he would undoubtedly surpass him.

That was why both of them were saying they each had lost.

Sword Venerable Ling Xiao let out a hearty laugh. "It’s been a long time since I’ve had such an exhilarating sword match. Today Zixuan has fulfilled one of my dreams. So I’ve decided that at noon today, the entire Sect will hold a grand feast!"