Chapter 192: If You Can’t Lift It, You Just Can’t Lift It

“First off, you can’t call it ‘Travel Notes’—it’s completely unappealing. As cultivators, do they really need to read about people traveling the world? Like they don’t already have the ability to do that? I enjoy reading it, sure, but that’s because my talent is trash, and I don’t dare leave Taixuan Sect most of the time.”

Gu An spoke with exaggerated flair, evaluating the work like a critic. Xuantian Yi sat down beside him, listening intently to his suggestions.

And so, Gu An launched into a long-winded monologue.

To be honest, rambling on and making stuff up felt pretty damn good. No wonder so many people enjoyed playing the role of a teacher. Gu An was definitely having fun.

Before they knew it, two hours had passed.

Gu An finally stopped, though he still had more to say. Xuantian Yi, on the other hand, was deeply impressed—who knew writing a book had so many techniques? Pacing, immersion, antagonism-building… It was fascinating, and he couldn’t get enough.

Brimming with excitement, Xuantian Yi stood up to take his leave.

“I’m heading to the Heavenly Mending Platform to experience the Sword Intent left by the Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path. I’ll rewrite the book based on your advice, and it won’t be called Sword Sovereign’s Travel Notes anymore—I’ll think of a new name.”

With that, he strode towards the door. Gu An got up to see him off.

As he descended the stairs, Gu An watched him disappear into the distance, a thoughtful look in his eyes.

Just then, An Xin suddenly rushed over. “Master! The White Spirit Mouse is missing!”

Gu An responded casually, “If it’s gone, it’s gone. It’ll come back on its own.”

Many disciples in the valley had received rewards allowing them to cultivate beneath the Sevenfold Purity Tree, but the one who had benefitted the most so far was undoubtedly the White Spirit Mouse. Its lifespan had increased several times over. Gu An even suspected that the little thing was comprehending the Dao in its dreams.

Comprehending the Dao was incredibly difficult—even Lu Lingjun, who trained under the Sevenfold Purity Tree daily, hadn’t succeeded. Yet somehow, the White Spirit Mouse had.

Still, no one else had noticed the difference. Outwardly, the White Spirit Mouse looked the same as before—just a little more nimble.

Hearing Gu An’s indifference, An Xin’s face showed concern.

Ever since Gu An had entrusted the White Spirit Mouse to her, she had grown attached to it. Gu An suspected she was turning into a full-fledged “mouse slave.”

He led An Xin away, preparing to guide her in her cultivation.

Xuantian Yi arrived at the Heavenly Mending Platform.

It had been two months since the fall of the Demon Ancestor. Because of the Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path, Taixuan Sect had become the most renowned sect in the Three Dynasties’ territory, attracting countless cultivators eager to pay their respects at the platform.

Standing guard beside the Heaven-Splitting Axe was Zuo Yijian, surrounded by dozens of disciples—his personal students.

The Heaven-Splitting Axe was a legacy left by the Sword Sovereign for Taixuan Sect’s disciples, and Zuo Yijian refused to let anyone from other sects attempt to claim it.

“Only disciples of Taixuan Sect may attempt to lift the Heaven-Splitting Axe!”

Zuo Yijian declared sternly, his words causing dissatisfaction among the surrounding cultivators.

Some even questioned his authority.

Zuo Yijian sneered proudly. “I am Zuo Yijian, the Sword Maniac of Cang Lake. The Sword Sovereign once placed his hand on my shoulder, and he even used my sword. It is my duty to protect his legacy!”

The moment he said this, no one dared to challenge him further. However, many still found his attitude annoying.

Watching from a distance, Xuantian Yi also found him irritating.

Just a mere Nascent Soul cultivator, and he’s acting all high and mighty?

Suddenly, he recalled the way Gu An had once tried to scare him.

Oh, that would be good.

I’ll write it into my book—make it so that the Sword Sovereign always pats people on the shoulder before he kills them. That’ll scare this little brat senseless.

Just then, a lighthearted voice called out.

“Xuantian Yi, long time no see.”

Xuantian Yi turned to see a man in purple robes approaching. His demeanor was elegant, his robes fluttering in the breeze, and a feathered crown adorned his head. As he walked, many disciples turned to look at him.

Xuantian Yi lifted his chin slightly. “Ji Xuanling, it’s been years. And you’ve only just reached the Grand Ascension Stage?”

His words sent a ripple of shock through the crowd at the Heavenly Mending Platform.

Even Zuo Yijian, standing by the Heaven-Splitting Axe, glanced over.

Very quickly, people recognized Xuantian Yi, which only made them even more curious about Ji Xuanling.

Where did this Grand Ascension cultivator suddenly come from?

Weren’t there only two Grand Ascension cultivators in the Three Dynasties’ territory?

Ji Xuanling stopped five steps away from Xuantian Yi. They were of similar height—Xuantian Yi carried himself with arrogance, while Ji Xuanling, though not arrogant, had a presence just as strong.

“Brother Xuantian, your progress after a trip to the ocean is truly astounding,” Ji Xuanling said with a smile. “Tell me, are you now a disciple of Taixuan Sect, or have you joined Starsea Cult?”

Xuantian Yi scoffed. “I can join whatever sect I please. Can you?”

Ji Xuanling chuckled and shook his head. Then, he asked, “Have you ever met the Sword Sovereign of the Righteous Path?”

A sly idea came to Xuantian Yi’s mind. With a smirk, he replied, “Of course. If you want to meet him, it’s simple—see that Heaven-Splitting Axe over there? If you can lift it, even by a fraction, I’ll take you to him.”

“Really?”

“Absolutely.”

Ji Xuanling pondered for a moment. “Sounds like this axe is quite difficult to move.”

Xuantian Yi grinned smugly. “Indeed. Even with my cultivation, I can only make it tremble.”

Many of the Taixuan Sect disciples who had witnessed his attempt hesitated to speak—none dared to contradict him in public.

“Then, let me give it a try.” Ji Xuanling stepped forward.

Ji Xuanling turned and walked toward the Heaven-Splitting Axe, with Xuantian Yi following closely behind.

As he approached the axe, Zuo Yijian moved to stop him, but before he could act, Xuantian Yi’s divine sense bore down on him, rendering him completely immobile.

Zuo Yijian stared at Xuantian Yi in shock and anger.

Ji Xuanling, however, paid no attention to Zuo Yijian’s little antics. He reached out and grasped the handle of the Heaven-Splitting Axe.

More and more cultivators gathered around. At this point, disciples from every sect in the Three Dynasties’ cultivation world could be found at the Heavenly Mending Platform—including those from the Demonic Path. Ever since the demonic catastrophe, the righteous and demonic factions had set aside their differences to fight against the demon horde together. Because of this, Taixuan Sect didn’t stop demonic cultivators from coming—as long as they didn’t cause trouble.

Who would dare stir up chaos under the Sword Sovereign’s watchful eyes?

The moment Ji Xuanling grasped the axe, he felt the same thing Ji Xuanyu had.

Unmovable!

But then he recalled that even Xuantian Yi, after exerting all his strength, had only managed to make it tremble slightly. That thought reassured him. He began channeling his power.

BOOM!

The aura of a Grand Ascension cultivator erupted in full force, shocking the surrounding cultivators and forcing them to retreat.

Xuantian Yi’s eyes narrowed. He immediately isolated Ji Xuanling’s aura with his own, redirecting it skyward to prevent unintended casualties.

Figures began appearing on the Heavenly Mending Platform one after another—Lü Baitian, Gu Zong, Ji Hantian, and Lu Lingjun had all arrived, their eyes fixed on Ji Xuanling.

Ji Xuanling frowned and adjusted his stance, shifting his feet for better leverage. Golden flames ignited from his seven orifices, distorting the surrounding space with their intense heat.

The Heavenly Mending Platform trembled. Lü Baitian and the others immediately channeled their power into the platform, reinforcing it to prevent it from collapsing.

Even after using a secret technique, Ji Xuanling still couldn’t budge the Heaven-Splitting Axe.

That was when his competitive spirit truly ignited.

He let out a low roar, veins bulging on his neck. His face turned crimson, utterly losing the calm and graceful demeanor he had before.

Xuantian Yi could barely suppress his smirk.

Yes!

This is exactly what I wanted!

So much for a Seven Star Spirit Realm prodigy—he was struggling just the same!

Ji Xuanling’s entire body burned with golden flames, resembling a human torch. But no matter how much power he poured into his efforts, the Heaven-Splitting Axe refused to move!

“Impossible…”

A wave of disbelief crashed over Ji Xuanling. He couldn’t accept it.

He could handle not lifting the axe.

What he couldn’t accept was being weaker than Xuantian Yi!

The harder he tried, the more he became convinced that the Heaven-Splitting Axe was utterly immovable.

How the hell did Xuantian Yi manage to shake it?!

Could the foundation of Starsea Cult be stronger than the Seven Star Spirit Realm?

“Alright, that’s enough. If you can’t lift it, you just can’t lift it. What, is a so-called Holy Land prodigy like you unable to accept reality? Looks like the Seven Star Spirit Realm is all about teaching cultivation and completely neglecting mental fortitude.”

Xuantian Yi’s voice rang out across the entire sect.

Loud.

Clear.

Deliberate.

As if he was afraid

others wouldn’t hear him.

Ji Xuanling cursed him internally but quickly reined in his golden flames.

The oppressive aura of a Grand Ascension cultivator vanished, allowing everyone to breathe a sigh of relief.

Xuantian Yi released his hold on Zuo Yijian and turned his attention to teasing Ji Xuanling.

Ji Xuanling forced a smile, choosing to praise the Sword Sovereign instead. “Truly remarkable. As expected of a legendary cultivator known throughout the world.”

Seeing Ji Xuanling’s humility, Zuo Yijian took a liking to him.

He then added, “Actually, Senior Xuantian also failed. He didn’t make the Heaven-Splitting Axe move even a fraction.”

Ji Xuanling’s smile froze.

Xuantian Yi wasn’t angry at all. If anything, he looked even more pleased with himself.

Oh, Zuo Yijian, you little fool.

Xuantian Yi silently vowed to write a passage in his book about how the Sword Sovereign always patted people on the shoulder before killing them—just to keep Zuo Yijian awake at night, sweating bullets.

Gu An quietly pondered Ji Xuanling’s purpose for coming here.

It probably wasn’t to investigate him. If that were the case, they wouldn’t have made such a grand display.

Could the Holy Land be preparing to integrate into the broader cultivation world?

After all, with the unknown factor that was the Sword Sovereign, they couldn’t afford to be too aggressive. Most of their past maneuvers had been in secret—they couldn’t afford open conflict.

However, Lin Jingtian’s family definitely wouldn’t take this lying down.

The Lin Family was a major force in the Seven Star Spirit Realm.

Well, well… time to start bullying the big and the old, Gu An mused.

“I have no idea,” he finally said, turning to An Xin. “Focus on your sword training. You’re good at everything except keeping your mind on task. Always looking for excuses to slack off.”

An Xin blushed, embarrassed, and resumed her practice.

Gu An put the matter of the Seven Star Spirit Realm aside and turned his thoughts to his next book.

It was time to start writing Journey to the West.

Perfect timing, too. Through this book, he could subtly criticize the Seven Star Spirit Realm’s arrogance and awaken the broader cultivation world to deeper truths.

Of course, he’d have to take it slow—couldn’t afford to alert them prematurely.

Let them catch on in a few decades.

By then, he’d have already reached the Celestial Ascension Stage!

The news of Ji Xuanling failing to lift the Heaven-Splitting Axe spread like wildfire, bringing joy to the disciples of Taixuan Sect.

With the Holy Land stepping in to “save the world,” countless tales of the Seven Star Spirit Realm began emerging like mushrooms after the rain.

But to many disciples of Taixuan Sect, it all seemed like the Holy Land was just trying to steal the Sword Sovereign’s thunder.

Where was the Holy Land before the Demon Ancestor’s death?

Yet the moment their so-called prodigy arrived at Taixuan Sect, he was instantly overshadowed by the Sword Sovereign.

How could they not feel ecstatic about that?

The story quickly spread beyond Taixuan Sect, sweeping across the Three Dynasties’ cultivation world.

More and more cultivators began flocking to Taixuan Sect, eager to witness the Heaven-Splitting Axe firsthand.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep