Chapter 640: Kneeling for Ten Thousand Years

Tianhong Emperor's mind was in turmoil. Although the scenery around him had remained unchanged over the past hundred years, he could feel an overwhelming sense of malice pressing down on him.

He couldn't imagine what kind of situation he would face upon returning to Dao Court if he failed to become a disciple of Sword Master of the Dao.

Not just Dao Court—even when he first arrived at Qiankun Sect, countless disciples had watched him intently.

The more he thought about it, the more anxious he became, and even a hint of anger arose in his heart.

But he himself couldn’t tell who this anger was directed at.

Was he angry at Sword Master of the Dao?

But Sword Master of the Dao had no reason nor obligation to accept him as a disciple.

If anyone was to blame, it was himself—his talent wasn’t enough.

Sword Master of the Dao had taken in Tian Hao, and Tian Hao had once been the number one prodigy in the world.

Even before he was born, Tian Hao had already disappeared, which led many to believe that he was not truly the strongest prodigy throughout the ages—because he had never defeated Tian Hao.

After the calamity of the innate human race, the world came to know that Tian Hao was Sword Master of the Dao’s disciple, further adding to his legendary status.

With Tian Hao gone, people liked to use his name to belittle the current generation of geniuses.

But in truth, Tian Hao himself had experienced the same doubts and challenges when he was still in the world.

Regardless, since Tianhong Emperor had never defeated Tian Hao, he truly could not claim the title of the greatest prodigy of all time.

These thoughts swirled chaotically in his mind.

Even though his rationality told him that a hundred years was nothing in the grand scheme of things, he still couldn’t help but dwell on it.

Kneeling before the small river, he gazed at his reflection in the water.

For the first time, Tianhong Emperor felt that he was fragile—unworthy of the title of the number one prodigy in the world.

At that moment—

He saw a figure emerging from the depths of the forest on the other side of the river.

When he got a clearer look at the person’s face, his expression became one of confusion.

It wasn’t Tianqing, nor was it Tianbai.

It was someone he had never seen before.

The newcomer was An Xin.

Dressed in a flowing green robe, An Xin’s features were delicate and beautiful, her eyes cold and detached. She carried the air of an immortal secluded in the mountains, untouched by the mundane world.

Tianhong Emperor's gaze shifted slightly as he took in her presence.

An Xin stopped at the riverbank, her cold gaze fixed on Tianhong Emperor, showing no emotion whatsoever.

"I heard that you are the greatest genius of Dao Court, and the most talented individual in the world today," she said indifferently. "Since we are both at the Wondrous Mystical Spirit Immortal Realm, why don’t we have a spar?"

Her tone was calm but left no room for refusal.

Tianhong Emperor frowned slightly. "May I ask, Daoist friend—are you a disciple of Wushi Dao Field?"

An Xin nodded slightly. "I can be considered Wushi’s chief disciple. If you defeat me, you will earn the right to join Wushi Dao Field."

The moment she spoke, a sharp glint of ferocity flashed through Tianhong Emperor’s eyes.

After kneeling for a hundred years, his mind had long since become restless.

Now that An Xin had appeared and provoked him, this was exactly what he had been waiting for.

He needed to prove his talent to Sword Master of the Dao!

Tianhong Emperor rose to his feet.

As he stood, dirt and grass scattered from his robes, and his entire presence shifted dramatically.

A powerful gale surged outward, causing the trees around them to sway violently.

"Where shall we fight?" Tianhong Emperor’s eyes burned with intensity, his long hair whipping wildly like flames.

A faint purple glow flickered within An Xin’s eyes.

"There’s no need," she said calmly, her tone detached. "Right here will do. This won’t take long."

Tianhong Emperor felt humiliated. His robes billowed violently, and a terrifying aura surged from within him.

At the same time—

Inside a guesthouse within Qiankun Sect, Gu An was drinking with his close friends when they suddenly sensed a formidable presence from afar.

Qiu Zhuo, one of Gu An’s drinking companions, looked around in shock. "Could someone be causing trouble in Qiankun Sect?"

Although Qiankun Sect was far inferior to Dao Court, it was still a powerful sect ruling over an entire region. To stir up trouble within Qiankun Sect was tantamount to seeking death.

Gu An took a sip of his wine and chuckled. "Since it’s happening inside the sect, why should we be worried? Let’s keep drinking. Continue telling us about Yi Lang."

Yi Lang, the son of Sect Master Yi Qingshan, wasn’t particularly outstanding within the Yi Family, but he was known for his free-spirited nature and often engaged in notorious escapades that became hot topics of gossip.

Qiu Zhuo found Gu An’s words reasonable and resumed recounting Yi Lang’s tales of romance and indulgence.

That terrifying aura had appeared abruptly—but disappeared just as quickly.

The entire event lasted no more than ten breaths, leaving Qiankun Sect’s disciples whispering amongst themselves in hushed discussions.

Meanwhile, in the forest—

Tianhong Emperor was half-kneeling by the river. One hand was pressed against his knee, while the other hung weakly by his side.

Lifting his head with difficulty, he could feel cold sweat streaming down his face, and his bloodshot eyes trembled with disbelief.

An Xin stood on the opposite bank, exactly one zhang away from him.

Her purple eyes gradually regained their usual calm, showing no trace of emotion.

Compared to Tianhong Emperor’s look of shock, An Xin’s expression remained indifferent.

"How is this possible…? What kind of divine ability was that?" Tianhong Emperor gritted his teeth, his voice filled with unwillingness.

He couldn’t accept this defeat—especially against someone at the same realm.

An Xin replied flatly, "It’s a divine ability taught to me by my master. But you don’t need to feel discouraged. Although we are in the same realm, when I reached this stage, you hadn’t even been born yet. Your talent still surpasses mine, but—if you want to join Wushi Dao Field, it won’t be so simple."

With that, she stepped forward and brushed past Tianhong Emperor, heading towards Qiankun Sect.

Tianhong Emperor, his head bowed low, clenched his teeth and asked, "Did Sword Master send you?"

"He has no time for such trivial matters."

"I only came because I could feel that your Dao Heart was wavering.

It’s only been a hundred years, yet you’re already on the verge of giving up.

The disciples inside the Dao Field who had high hopes for you will be disappointed.

But backing out isn’t necessarily a bad thing—there are many paths in this world. You don’t have to enter Wushi Dao Field."

An Xin never paused her steps. Her figure gradually faded into the distance.

Tianhong Emperor’s pupils dilated, and a deep sense of shame washed over him.

Yes—

It had only been a hundred years.

To a cultivator, what was a mere hundred years?

Images of the battle earlier flashed through his mind, and his gaze burned with determination.

Wushi Dao Field’s disciples were this strong—this was proof of Wushi’s deep foundation!

Even if it took him a thousand years… ten thousand years…

He would join Wushi Dao Field!

Tianhong Emperor straightened his back and knelt once more.

But this time—

The impatience and frustration that had filled his heart before were gone.

His eyes regained the same firm resolve he had when he first arrived.

A gentle breeze brushed past him, lifting the strands of hair near his temples.

Within the wind—

He seemed to hear Sword Master of the Dao’s voice calling him.

Calling him—“Disciple.”

Tianhong Emperor’s lips curled slightly.

Because of An Xin’s strength, his desire to enter Wushi Dao Field had only grown stronger.

Years passed—

Ten thousand years slipped by like flowing water.

And yet, the forest where Tianhong Emperor knelt remained unchanged—as if it were separated from time itself, untouched by the laws of the world.

His clothing had not changed in the slightest, but his hair had grown longer, his beard reaching the ground.

With his eyes closed, his entire presence exuded an aura of profound mystery.

Not far away, perched on the branches of a towering tree, stood Gu An and An Xin, side by side.

They silently observed Tianhong Emperor below.

An Xin finally broke the silence.

"Master, if you really don’t intend to accept him, should I just chase him away?"

Tianhong Emperor had knelt for ten thousand years.

He hadn’t just moved An Xin’s heart—the entire Dao Field had taken notice of his unwavering determination.

As the number one prodigy in the world, he had been able to endure and kneel in worship for ten millennia.

No one could imagine just how strong his resolve was.