Queue up?
Long Jun turned his gaze toward Zuo Yijian, his expression indifferent. He said nothing and simply turned around, making his way to the end of the long queue.
This small incident didn't attract much attention. Encountering high-level cultivators with extraordinary bearing in Tai Xuan Sect was not unusual, and those unwilling to follow the rules were even more common.
However, with Zuo Yijian overseeing the queue, order was never disrupted!
Zuo Yijian's strict impartiality had earned him great prestige.
Of course, there were those who disliked him, but after making inquiries, none dared to provoke him. He had received a personal inheritance from Sword Master of the Dao, making him half a disciple of the legend.
With such a status, Tai Xuan Sect held him in high regard.
After waiting for half an hour, it was finally Long Jun's turn. This was already considered fast, as Zuo Yijian didn't waste words—each person got only two attempts before moving on.
Zuo Yijian fixed his gaze on Long Jun. He had a feeling this person was not ordinary.
Although he didn't believe Long Jun could lift the Heaven-Sundering Axe, he was still curious to see how he would perform.
For countless years, Zuo Yijian had guarded Heaven Mending Platform—a tedious and lonely duty. But he endured it, believing that one day, Sword Master of the Dao would acknowledge his efforts.
What he sought was far beyond what others could comprehend.
Even his descendants could not understand why he continued to guard this place long after Sword Master of the Dao had left.
Long Jun stepped forward and placed his right hand on the hilt of the Heaven-Sundering Axe.
He merely wanted to experience the power of Sword Master of the Dao, not to truly pull out the axe. He had no intention of seizing another's opportunity.
Although he had heard that Sword Master of the Dao was incredibly powerful, he never believed that he was stronger than himself.
Yet, the moment he grasped the Heaven-Sundering Axe, his brows furrowed.
It was heavy!
It felt as though he wasn't holding a battle axe but the weight of the entire Heavenly Spirit World.
Just from the first touch, he understood—he could not lift this axe.
Sword Master of the Dao's cultivation was higher than his own!
Golden Immortal Dao Fruit!
Long Jun's heart surged with turbulent waves. A powerhouse of such caliber actually chose to protect Long Qing—why?
Previously, he hadn't paid much attention, but now, realizing that Sword Master of the Dao was even stronger than he had imagined, he couldn't help but think deeper.
Every cause has an effect.
If Sword Master of the Dao merely favored Long Qing or acted out of kindness, would he go to such lengths to protect him?
After offending War Court, Sword Master of the Dao left—why did he not sever all karmic ties with Long Qing?
Long Jun's frown deepened as he sank into deep thought.
Zuo Yijian, however, was growing impatient. He spoke coldly, "If you can't lift it, move on. Don't waste time."
Hearing this, Long Jun's eyes flashed with a chilling glint, making Zuo Yijian shudder inwardly.
For a moment, he felt as if he was staring death in the face.
Fortunately, Long Jun didn't take it to heart. He released his grip on the axe and turned away.
Zuo Yijian let out a quiet sigh of relief, but his wariness toward Long Jun grew stronger.
He now regarded him with even greater curiosity.
Meanwhile, in the distant Wushi Dao Field, Gu An smirked to himself.
Good thing he had reinforced the power within the Heaven-Sundering Axe ahead of time.
Otherwise, if this brat had managed to lift it, things would have gotten messy.
Long Jun didn't belong to this era. If he obtained the axe's inheritance, it would be equivalent to stealing the fortune meant for Gu An's descendants.
Moreover, if Long Jun brought the power of the Heaven-Sundering Axe back to the past, it could create serious trouble for Gu An.
"They're all striving to become stronger... I'm curious to see how this all unfolds."
Inside his room, Gu An smirked as he muttered to himself while flipping through an ancient text.
Zhu Xi was following Xunxian Daoist, training in the Dao Supremacy Art.
Li Ya was under the guidance of Sword Annihilation Patriarch, walking the path of sword cultivation.
Long Qing was learning Heavenly Dragon Reincarnation Divine Aspect from Long Jun.
Meanwhile, An Hao continued to comprehend the power of the Heavenly Dao Golden Core.
Someday, these four would inevitably clash, their conflicts shaking the world itself.
That wouldn't do.
They each represented different factions. Gu An had to get involved—not out of any grand ambition, but simply to prove that following him was the best path forward.
The thought of it made him smile even brighter.
Seasons changed. Thirty years passed in the blink of an eye.
North Sea Mountain Range.
Inside a secluded valley.
Seated cross-legged on the grass, Long Qing slowly opened his eyes. The moment he ceased his cultivation, the turbulent winds in the valley settled, and the surrounding flora gradually calmed.
He furrowed his brows and looked toward Long Jun, who was sitting on a pile of grass, absentmindedly stroking his sword, his gaze carrying a hint of sorrow.
"Ancestor, why can't I grasp it?"
Long Qing broke the silence. After decades of training in Heavenly Dragon Reincarnation Divine Aspect, he still couldn't grasp the initiation point. As a result, he had stalled in his cultivation, unable to advance his Qi absorption technique for decades.
He was beginning to think about giving up.
Without even lifting his gaze, Long Jun spoke, "How could it be that easy? Don't rush. Once you master Heavenly Dragon Reincarnation Divine Aspect, your cultivation will naturally soar to new heights."
Long Qing was about to retort when suddenly—
A tremendous aura erupted from the distant horizon, shaking the heavens and the earth. Even ordinary mortals could sense the terrifying pressure.
Long Jun lifted his head, his eyes gleaming with intrigue.
"Didn't expect this world to still harbor such sword intent..." Long Jun mused.
Long Qing also turned in the direction of the burst of power but wasn't particularly surprised. Such occurrences were commonplace—every few decades or centuries, a massive surge of power would erupt. It was either a battle between great cultivators or someone emerging from seclusion.
He turned back to Long Jun, hoping to glean insight from him.
Before he could speak, Long Jun vanished into thin air.
Long Qing sighed.
Long Jun was always disappearing mysteriously, never truly guiding him in Heavenly Dragon Reincarnation Divine Aspect.
For some reason, Long Qing suddenly thought of his master.
His master, Gu An, also disliked personally instructing him.
Did that mean his comprehension ability was too poor?
The thought soured his mood.
Boundless Wastelands.
A lone figure in black robes, Li Ya, stood amidst the vast, desolate terrain, gripping the Nine Absolute Sacred Heart Sword.
Sword energy roiled around him, making his long hair flutter wildly in the wind.
"So strong..."
Li Ya's expression was filled with excitement.
He had just stepped into the Loose Immortal Realm, yet his sword intent had skyrocketed.
He turned to look at Sword Annihilation Patriarch.
The old master stroked his beard and nodded approvingly.
"This sword technique originates from the Sacred Heart Sword Dao, though it still falls short of the true Sacred Heart Sword Dao," Sword Annihilation Patriarch explained. "Nonetheless, it is more than enough for you to dominate this shattered Great Thousand World."
Sword Annihilation Patriarch was satisfied with Li Ya's progress—even pleasantly surprised.
How peculiar.
At first glance, this disciple seemed entirely ordinary, only tied to Gu An's fate by mere chance.
Yet why did Sacred Heart Sword Dao seem to naturally accept him?
It wasn't that Li Ya had exceptional comprehension. Rather, Sacred Heart Sword Dao willingly embraced him.
Li Ya, however, was too absorbed in his newfound strength to notice.
Suddenly—
A shadow appeared beside him.
Startled, Sword Annihilation Patriarch instantly moved in front of Li Ya, his expression grim.
It was Long Jun!
Long Jun's gaze lingered on Li Ya, his expression unreadable.
Sword Annihilation Patriarch narrowed his eyes, his voice heavy.
"Who are you, and what do you want?"
Long Jun's speed was terrifying—enough for Sword Annihilation Patriarch to know he was no match.
Li Ya, too, was taken aback.
His first instinct was to raise his sword—but the moment he saw Long Jun's face, he froze.
Strangely enough, there was something familiar about Long Jun's brows and aura.
For a split second, he looked like Gu An.
But looking again, he didn't.
Li Ya scolded himself inwardly.
What nonsense!
He had deliberately avoided thinking about Gu An, afraid it would weaken his resolve.
Maintaining his composure, Li Ya spoke calmly.
"What business does Senior have with us?"
Long Jun finally spoke.
"This sword technique… where does it come from?"
Li Ya hesitated for a moment before replying, "Sacred Heart Sword Dao. Senior, have you heard of it?"
Seeing Sword Annihilation Patriarch so on edge, Li Ya was inwardly nervous, but he kept his composure.
If Long Jun wanted to kill him, with his speed, Li Ya wouldn't even have time to react.
Perhaps this wasn't an enemy.