“Since the previous sword puzzle has already been solved, I will now present a new sword puzzle, of the mid-tier Profound level. I must especially note that this sword puzzle is called ‘The Flower-Seeking Sword Qi Manual’, and it is a direct continuation of the previous one. The previous, lower-tier Profound sword puzzle only contained the first part. This one, however, is the essence—the second part.”

Henry Clark raised his hand and picked out an object, glowing with a gentle light. It was a rather fine-looking jade tablet, about the size of a palm.

Mid-tier Profound level!

All eyes were drawn to the jade tablet, each gaze carrying its own meaning—some envious, some helpless, some curious.

The lower-tier Profound sword puzzle couldn’t be solved by the Sword Lecture Hall for three sessions, and now the elder had actually brought out a mid-tier Profound sword puzzle. Wasn’t this making things impossibly hard?

And also, just who was the person who solved the sword puzzle? Why wouldn’t anyone say...

The disciples dared not discuss it aloud, and could only exchange questions with their eyes.

Henry Clark pretended not to notice, and began to repeat his introduction of ‘The Flower-Seeking Sword Qi Manual’.

This sword manual belongs to the category of long-range sword techniques. As the name suggests, once mastered, it allows the user to condense sword qi—formless yet substantial—and unleash it so that it can circle delicately around the tender core of a flower without harming a single filament. Such dexterity is the reason for the name “Flower-Seeking”.

The previous sword puzzle was also from ‘The Flower-Seeking Sword Qi Manual’, but it only contained the first part, “Sword Moves”. This one is the most important second part, “Sword Qi”, and is naturally of a higher grade.

Only when both parts are combined is the manual complete.

In fact, both sword puzzles were crafted by the same senior swordsman of the Sword Hall and left behind. The reason for splitting them into two parts was to allow successors to progress step by step—first learning sword moves, then sword qi. In truth, the power of the “Sword Moves” part alone was not enough to qualify as a Profound-level manual, at most a high-tier Yellow level. But because it was paired with the second part, it was exceptionally classified as Profound level.

The two martial arts manuals complement each other, but the order is important: first learn sword moves, then sword qi. There is simply no logic in skipping the moves and directly deciphering the sword qi.

In this regard, Henry Clark had grasped the key point: the person who solved the previous sword puzzle would surely be unable to resist trying to solve the new one. Most importantly, only this person would have a real chance of success. The other disciples were just there for the spectacle.

Of course, that’s not to say the person would definitely succeed—after all, this is a genuine mid-tier Profound sword puzzle. How could it be so easily solved?

Henry Clark’s main goal was to see just who this low-key disciple really was. In fact, there were other methods available, such as checking one by one. But that would be difficult and would go against the Sword Hall’s principles.

The rules of Zhongnan Sword Hall are strict, but as long as disciples do not violate the regulations, they are given great freedom. For example, if someone solves a sword puzzle but does not wish to make it public, it would be inappropriate to use coercive methods to investigate, as if interrogating a criminal—that would leave a bad impression.

After all, there’s nothing wrong with such behavior.

Of course, in the history of Zhongnan Sword Hall, there has never been a case of someone solving a sword puzzle and then keeping a low profile.

This is the first time.

After speaking, Henry Clark placed the sword puzzle into a recess on the stone wall behind him and said, “During the Sword Lecture Hall, this new sword puzzle will remain here. Anyone interested is welcome to come up and observe. Especially the mysterious disciple who solved the first part—let me say in advance, this is a rare opportunity. Perhaps, by the next year’s Sword Lecture Hall, the sword puzzles on display will be different.”

A smile played at the corners of his mouth as he looked down. At this moment, all the elder’s usual dignity was gone, replaced by a hint of playfulness—truly a rare sight. Clearly, with the long-unsolved sword puzzle suddenly cracked, Henry Clark was in an excellent mood.

Having set up the sword puzzle, he returned to the main topic and continued teaching the mysteries of swordsmanship.

But for some reason, both he and the disciples seemed distracted today.

Henry Clark ended the class early and announced that the rest of the time would be free activity.

With a “buzz”, a large group of disciples surged forward, scrambling to get a look at the new sword puzzle.

Henry Clark had expected this and made no comment, only watching quietly to see if any disciple acted suspiciously. But to his disappointment, he found nothing—no clues at all.

There were quite a few disciples crowding around, one group leaving as another arrived. But basically, they just looked; no one dared to actually try to solve it.

—Anyone who hadn’t solved the first part had little hope for the second. Attempting to solve it would be a waste of effort, and if one was careless and suffered backlash, it would be no joke.

The Sword Lecture Hall session passed quickly, and soon it was dusk. The disciples dispersed, and it was time for the menial workers to come in and clean up.

Today, Brian Carter was responsible for wiping down all the doors and windows of the lecture hall—a tough job. When Deacon Reed came by after eating his fill, he naturally started nitpicking and bossing him around again.

He was doing it on purpose.

Brian Carter understood in his heart, just as everyone suspected: when the Sword Lecture Hall ended tomorrow, he would be kicked out, leaving the Zhongnan Sword Hall where he had worked for three years.

So be it. A man’s ambitions should reach far and wide—why force oneself to stay?

By the time he was allowed to go eat, it was already dark, and the small canteen had actually closed.