What He Wudi said moved Jun Changxiao’s heart.

Because he had inherited the Xuanyuan Realm and savagely brutalized Ling Li during the star system main competition, it was sufficient to represent that sooner or later he would clash head-on with the Heavenly Demon Emperor. If he could break through to a higher level as quickly as possible, it would undoubtedly be the safest course.

Put simply, Jun Changxiao had just stepped into Heaven’s Mystery Realm and was already thinking about the next realm—not to explore eternal life, but to have the capital to contend with his enemies.

“But…” He Wudi said, “This disciple doesn’t recommend the sect master attempt to comprehend the incomplete scrolls right now.”

“Why?” Jun Changxiao asked.

“Because…” He Wudi’s gaze turned grave. “The incomplete scrolls Senior Seven Profound left behind also hide the mysteries of advancing to Holy Sovereign!”

“The strongest realm in the Eternal Life Realm?” Jun Changxiao said.

“Mm.”

“…” Jun Changxiao was shocked.

Though he hadn’t been to that world, since there were level divisions and it was the highest tier, everyone would naturally aspire to it.

Seven Profound Holy Sovereign integrated his understanding of the Great Dao into the incomplete scrolls and even hid the mysteries of Holy Sovereign within them. Such an heaven-defying expert… could he be my father?

The System said, “How is your face that thick?”

“This seat understands your meaning,” Jun Changxiao said. “Comprehending the incomplete scrolls’ profound truths with my current realm is inferior to advancing to a higher realm first before comprehending them.”

“Correct,” He Wudi nodded.

The profound truths Senior Seven Profound left in the incomplete scrolls belonged to the world’s greatest opportunity. Once comprehended, they would definitely be gone. They must be used at the most correct time—for instance, after breaking through to Holy Monarch.

That was what he thought back then, even going so far as to violate his ‘cautious survival’ principle to snatch the incomplete scrolls, resulting in his level being reset.

“That’s not right,” Jun Changxiao said. “If this seat comprehends the profound truths within, won’t I directly advance to Holy Sovereign?”

“…” He Wudi nearly toppled over.

My sect master really dares to dream!

Even if this conjecture held true, the Upper Universe couldn’t accommodate a Holy Sovereign.

—

After He Wudi left, Jun Changxiao took out the seven incomplete scrolls.

Actually, he’d long known there were mysteries within and had attempted to peer into them every time he broke through a major realm. The result—no gains whatsoever.

“Can’t understand it! Still can’t understand it!”

After studying for an entire night, Jun Changxiao clutched his head and howled.

The System said, “This type of incomplete scroll containing profound truths is like cultivation—who knows when the feeling will suddenly come and you’ll comprehend it in a muddle.”

“True,” Jun Changxiao gave up comprehending and placed his thoughts on sect development and disciple cultivation.

—

“Swoosh! Swoosh!”

Within the bamboo forest, sword light flashed quick as lightning.

“Clang—”

Shortly after, Zhou Hong sheathed his sword and stood with lowered head amid the environment of drifting leaves, resembling a generation of sword dao grandmaster.

Clap, clap, clap!

The falling leaves suddenly split into strips.

The size and scale were just right, as if uniformly cut by a fixed machine.

Jian Xiaohong’s mouth hung open, her face full of disbelief.

Beside her stood an unkempt old man. He squinted at Zhou Hong, a look of surprise also emerging in his gaze.

Don’t let this person’s somewhat slovenly appearance fool you—in the Guixu Realm and even throughout the Upper Realm, he was famously renowned.

That’s right—he was the Guixu Sword Saint whom even Gu Tianxing had to respect.

Sword Guixu had no sword qi flowing around him. At first glance, he looked like an ordinary elderly man.

“Boy,” he said in a deep voice, “who taught you the Soaring Sword Divine Formula?”

Zhou Hong was quite surprised. “How does Senior know this sword formula?”

“Cut the crap,” Sword Guixu said. “Answer me—who passed it on to you!”

“This sword formula is my Eternal Sect’s exclusive secret manual,” Zhou Hong said.

“Bullshit!” Sword Guixu roared. “The Soaring Sword Divine Formula was created by me!”

“…” Zhou Hong was bewildered.

It was clearly our sect’s martial arts, but he insisted he created it. This sword dao grandmaster was somewhat shameless.

“Hmph!” Jian Xiaohong said, “No wonder the secret manual went missing—turns out the Eternal Sect stole it!”

The surprise she’d just shown wasn’t because Zhou Hong’s sword formula execution was so masterful, but rather—why did an outsider learn martial arts clearly created by her grandfather!

“Miss Jian!” Zhou Hong said, “Please don’t make false accusations!”

As an Eternal Sect disciple, naturally he wouldn’t allow the sect to be slandered.

In truth? Forget it, won’t mention it. Just mentioning it would make Little Duo angry again, probably pointing at Dog Sheng’s nose and cursing for three days and nights straight.

“How long have you been practicing this Soaring Sword Divine Formula?” Sword Guixu asked.

“Over thirty years.”

“What?”

Sword Guixu’s eyes widened.

“Impossible!” Jian Xiaohong said. “Though the Soaring Sword Divine Formula was something my grandfather created on a whim in his youth and has many imperfect aspects, how could you comprehend it in just a few decades!”

“If you don’t believe it, so be it,” Zhou Hong said.

“I believe you,” Sword Guixu said.

Calculating from when the sword formula went missing, it was indeed over thirty years. He could basically confirm the other party wasn’t lying.

“Grandfather!” Jian Xiaohong still questioned, “I can’t do what he did—how can he do it!”

Sword Guixu smiled. “Though your sword dao talent is strong, there are heavens beyond heavens and people beyond people. There are others in this world stronger than you.”

“…” Jian Xiaohong felt somewhat unconvinced, secretly glaring at Zhou Hong.

“Boy,” Sword Guixu said, “since you can practice the Soaring Sword Divine Formula, it proves you and I have fate. Are you willing to take me as your master and cultivate the sword dao?”

“I’m unwilling,” Zhou Hong said. “This junior wishes to return to the sect.”

“Sect Master Jun really got it right—this guy practiced the sword until he became stupid,” Jian Xiaohong said quietly.

Grandfather was one of the Upper Universe’s most top-tier sword dao powerhouses. Countless people dreamed of becoming his disciple, yet he actually refused.

“I won’t force you,” Sword Guixu picked up a leaf from the ground. “You may leave at any time.”

“Swoosh—”

The leaf flew over, brushing past his shoulder.

In slow motion, one could clearly see that where the leaf passed, space instantly tore open cracks.

This didn’t seem particularly special—any Truth-Seeking Realm cultivator could do it. But it left Zhou Hong standing there dazed, shock appearing in his gaze.

Clearly just a casual wave, clearly without any sword qi erupting.

Why did the leaf contain such strong sword qi the instant it passed by his body!

A powerful expert!

“Curious why there was no sword intent erupting, yet a single leaf could condense into sword qi?” Sword Guixu smiled. “Become my disciple and I’ll tell you the answer.”

“…” Struggle appeared on Zhou Hong’s face.

“Are you really stupid?” Jian Xiaohong couldn’t bear watching anymore. She walked to his side and desperately gave him eye signals. “Why aren’t you quickly becoming the Guixu Sword Saint’s disciple!”

Zhou Hong remained in a state of inner conflict until he recalled the expectant look in the sect master’s eyes before parting. Only then did he cup his fists. “This junior is willing to take Senior Guixu as master.”

“Perform the kowtow ceremony!” Jian Xiaohong’s tone carried a sense of disappointment at his failure to meet expectations.

“My apologies,” Zhou Hong said. “The sect master once said that we Eternal Sect disciples do not kneel to heaven or earth—we only kneel to our parents.”

Jian Xiaohong said, “A teacher for a day is a father for life.”

“This…”

“Forget it, forget it,” Sword Guixu said. “No need to care about formalities.”

“Hmph,” Jian Xiaohong pursed her lips. “Grandfather, this isn’t taking a disciple—this is taking on a master.”

“Speaking of seniority,” Sword Guixu said, “he’s my disciple, same generation as your father. As his daughter, you should properly address him as Uncle.”

“Ah?” Jian Xiaohong immediately went blank.

“From today on, you must call him Uncle Zhou when you see him.”

“Grandfather, didn’t you just say there’s no need to care about formalities!”

“Other things don’t matter, but seniority absolutely cannot be confused.”

—

“Huff, huff!”

In the Heaven’s Mystery Secret Realm, breakthrough momentum erupted madly.

That’s right—someone else broke through.

This time it wasn’t a core disciple but a sect higher-up, Liu Sinan.

Advancing to Half-Step would occur repeatedly in the coming time. The reason was simple—Dog Sheng had advanced to Heaven’s Mystery Realm.

“Let me explain,” the System said. “When the host is stuck at a certain realm, disciples will remain in place. Once he breaks through, the realm he was previously at immediately weakens, making it easy for higher-ups and disciples to break through. This is the Dog Sheng Law of Realm Advancement.”