Chaotic Queue

One day later, after the chaos, a group of people stood in front of a wall stretching to the end of the horizon. Ten lines were filled with people patiently waiting for their turn to enter the Jin Long Continent.

"We're finally there..." someone exclaimed.

"Sigh, what was supposed to be a relaxing trip turned into a storm in the middle of the sea," another person sighed.

Tian Yi and his weary group had finally arrived at the entrance of the Jin Long Continent. Xiao Fang took a deep breath.

"Alright, let's go to the front and show them..." Xiao Fang began, but was interrupted.

"Wait, where's Young Master Yi?" someone asked, realizing he was missing.

"He's over there," Lao Bai pointed to the end of a particular line.

"...."

"Why is he lining up?" Xiao Chen asked, his face showing confusion.

"Uh, maybe he's the type to wait in line despite being rich?" Lao Bai didn't know what to say.

"But we have a VIP pass," Xiao Chen said, revealing a jade token inscribed with 'Xiao'.

After all, they belonged to one of the four prominent families in the Jin Long Continent. Their family held enough power to move mountains and influence the direction of the wind in the continent. If they had to wait in line too, what was the point of their privileged background?

"Don't worry, I'll go and tell him. How can someone like him possibly wait in line?" Xiao Chen assured, thumping his chest.

Xiao Chen approached Tian Yi, who was standing in line.

"Big Brother Yi, what are you doing here?" Xiao Chen asked.

"Waiting in line, how else are we going to get in?" Tian Yi replied, looking at him as if he were foolish.

Xiao Chen didn't know whether to laugh or cry at the response. "Big Brother... We have a VIP pass, so we don't have to wait in line. We can bypass the queue and enter the Jin Long Continent directly," he explained, showing him the jade token.

Tian Yi's expression revealed surprise. "That's not right, Junior Brother Chen! I didn't expect you to be this type of person! Skipping lines is unjustifiable, no matter who you are. Look at all these elderly people waiting in line. Do you want to shamelessly cut in front of them?" he scolded.

"Come, stand next to me. I'll teach you about respect and equality," Tian Yi continued. He didn't anticipate that his Junior Brother would be so shameless as to skip the line. It would only cause resentment among those waiting patiently. As the son of the Celestial Emperor, Tian Yi believed in treating everyone with equality, and he felt a responsibility to impart this lesson to his younger brother.

"...." Xiao Chen cried upon hearing Tian Yi's reprimand. "What? I'm shameless for skipping the elderly?" He felt a sense of injustice. But isn't that how the world works? Those with power can pretty much do whatever they want. Yet, as he contemplated his Big Brother's words, a realization struck him. Just because he was born into privilege, does that give him the right to shamelessly disregard the elderly? Tian Yi's comment didn't sit right with him, triggering something in his heart.

He bowed to Tian Yi. "You're right, Big Brother Yi. I was wrong. I almost did something shameless, and I don't know what made me think I could disrespect my elders. I've always been taught to respect them, and here I am, trying to skip ahead. I am truly ashamed of myself." He apologized, his tone reminiscent of a chastised child.

"Good, at least you realize it. It takes courage to admit when you're wrong! I won't hold it against you," Tian Yi nodded, now proud of him. Such a noble man. Together, they joined the line, waiting patiently like everyone else.

Ten minutes later...

"What the hell is he doing? It's already been 10 minutes, and he's still over there?" Xiao Fang frowned, growing impatient.

"Let's go see what my foolish son is up to," he suggested, and everyone agreed.

As they approached, Xiao Fang couldn't believe his eyes. "Huh?! Why does it look like he's also waiting in line?" He stared at Xiao Chen, who stood beside Tian Yi, arms crossed, displaying patience.

"...." Xiao Fang's confusion was evident. "What are they doing?"

"You see, my Young Master is actually a law-abiding citizen. He believes in treating others equally," Lao Bai offered a quick excuse.

"Is that so? Such noble morals!" Xiao Fang admired. "As expected of Young Master Yi," Xiao Hai sighed in agreement.

"But the Entrance Exam starts tomorrow..." Xiao Fang found himself in a dilemma. He didn't want to disrespect the Young Master's heroic moral, but he also yearned to enter and take a relaxing bath, especially after everything they had been through.

"Father, don't worry about it. It won't end for another two weeks, and we have plenty of time," Xiao Ying reassured him. She then whispered to her father, "And I also get to be next to him a little bit longer."

Xiao Fang's eyes lit up. "You're right! As expected of my daughter! Such a young sage!" he praised, suddenly realizing his oversight. Forget the hot bath; every second spent beside the Young Master was another opportunity for his daughter to get closer to him.

"Good! Everybody, let's go and wait in line with Young Master Yi!" Xiao Fang ordered.

"Yes, Father!" Xiao Ying happily ran over to join them.

"Ahh, youth..." Xiao Hai sighed.

"...." Lao Bai and the guards didn't know whether to laugh or cry in this situation. It seemed they would be waiting in line too.

"Big Brother Yi, I'll also wait in line with you!" Xiao Ying declared cheerfully.

Tian Yi looked at her and nodded. "Good, you're better than your brother."

Xiao Chen's face turned red at the comment. "Thank you, Big Brother!" Xiao Ying smiled shyly.

After her, the entire group joined the line...

The surrounding lines started to stir with excitement.

"Hey! Isn't that the Xiao Family?"

"You're right! And that's Fairy Ying!"

"Wait, something seems off..."

"A-are they standing in line?"

As one of the Four Big Families in the Jin Long Continent, everyone knew who they were. If you weren't familiar with the overlords, you wouldn't want to accidentally offend them. Moreover, with their distinctively lavish clothing, it was hard not to notice them. Not to mention, Xiao Ying alone was enough to capture the attention of anyone wherever she went.

People started greeting them.

"Greetings, Seniors and Young Masters."

"Senior Fang, you're as domineering as ever. As expected of the esteemed head of the Xiao Family."

"Madam Hai, you're as youthful and beautiful as always. Senior Fang must be the happiest man on earth."

"Fairy Ying, you're even more stunning than the last time I saw you. May your beauty be blessed by the Heavens forever."

"Young Master Chen, you are truly a remarkable individual, so handsome and strong at such a young age!"

Everyone showered them with flattery. The Xiao Family was one of the most respected and beloved families in the Jin Long Continent. Not only were they not arrogant, but they were also kind to ordinary people like them. This made everyone feel comfortable around them, eager to offer their praise.

They were soon surrounded by people from all sides.

"Haha, thank you all for your kind words. My Xiao Family accepts them with gratitude," Xiao Fang chuckled.

"Senior Fang, what are you doing waiting in line? This place is not suitable for someone of your status!" one of the guards spoke up, concerned.

"Ah, don't mind me. I'm here because I want to be. Just ignore us," Xiao Fang replied with a smile.

"That's not good! If my leader finds out that I let the Xiao Family wait in line, he'll surely reprimand me!" the guard pleaded.

He would rather take his own life than make them wait in line because, either way, he would end up dead.

"No, no, no. Please, ignore us. I'll inform your leader that it's not your fault, but mine. He'll understand," he pleaded.

"What are you doing?! Are you trying to sabotage my plans?" he wondered.

"But still, I can't bear the thought of you waiting in line while I rest peacefully at night," he added.

It was typical for it to take days before gaining entry.

"Listen to me and just ignore us!" he exclaimed, growing irritated.

"Fuck! Are you trying to cock-block my Xiao Ying's chances? Leave! If my daughter misses her opportunity because of you, I'll annihilate your entire family!" he cursed under his breath.

Noticing his growing annoyance, the guard reluctantly walked away, leaving them alone.

"If that's what Senior Fang wants, I won't bother you or your family any longer," the guard conceded, dragging his feet back to the Gate.

However, just because the guard left them alone didn't mean others would!

The people in front of them started moving to another line, and within moments, the once bustling line had emptied completely.

The Xiao Family felt like crying, but tears eluded them.

Tian Yi looked puzzled and asked, "Hey, what happened? Did this line close?"

"Let's try another line," he suggested, heading toward a different queue.

"Wait—" Before anyone could stop him, he had already joined another line and was waiting patiently.

The group collectively face-palmed.

"He..."

"Alas..."

They were rendered speechless.

Xiao Chen silently followed Tian Yi without uttering a word.

"We can't leave them here like this..."

"We have no choice!" Xiao Fang grumbled, reluctantly trailing behind.

Onlookers watched in astonishment as the Xiao Family moved to yet another line.

"What are you doing?! Are you that desperate to stand in line?" someone exclaimed.

...

The people in that line began to abandon it, seeking refuge in other queues.

Within seconds, that line was empty too, leaving only eight people.

"What? Did this line close as well?" Tian Yi questioned, proceeding to another line.

...

Xiao Chen and Xiao Ying happily followed suit.

"What should we do about this?" Xiao Hai inquired.

"What else can we do? Follow!" Xiao Fang grumbled through clenched teeth.

...

Everyone was left speechless.

The crowd in the line erupted in frustration.

"Damn it! Are you playing games with us?!"

"Can't you just get inside so we can all have peace?!" someone shouted.

"Is it too much to ask for you not to wait in line?!" another person exclaimed.

Despite their internal curses, the Xiao Family could only swallow their sorrow and move to another line...

No one dared to make them wait behind them.

And then, there were only seven lines remaining.

...

Tian Yi remained silent, shaking his head in disbelief this time.

He patiently walked to yet another line, with Xiao Chen and Xiao Ying silently following suit.

"Damn it! Screw this! Screw everyone!" Xiao Fang erupted.

"Can't you all just wait in line obediently?!" he yelled.

"You're making this difficult for yourselves!!!" Xiao Fang cried out in frustration.

"My dear..."

"Master..."

...

"Let's go!" he angrily followed, determined not to back down.

Six lines, five lines, four lines, three, two...

On this day, the always bustling entrance gate of Jin Long Continent witnessed a historic event—it had only one active line.

...

Everyone present wore a sour expression.

Now, there was only one line.

But that single line stretched for miles and miles.

Not only would it take days, but possibly even weeks to reach the gate.

The crowd yearned to cry, but tears eluded them.

Some even coughed up blood out of sheer anger.

The Xiao Family was undoubtedly toying with them!

The typically benevolent Xiao Family had grown bored and decided to play with their lives until death!

Xiao Fang's resolve turned as strong as steel as he disregarded everyone and marched toward the end of the line.

At least now, they would spend even more time with Young Master Yi!

To hell with the Entrance Exam! To hell with his reputation! If his daughter could marry him, would she even need to join the Sect?!

People began conversing among themselves.

"What else can we do? There are no more lines to join!"

"Forget it! Since they refuse to leave the line even if they were beaten to death, we have no choice but to endure it!"

"Why are they so determined to stand in line? Don't they care about their reputation?"

"Alas, we will never know what goes on in their minds."

"Hey, guards, could you inform your leader and try to find a solution?"

"We have already notified them, and they are currently discussing it."

"So all we can do is wait..."

They all sighed in resignation.

Inside the headquarters of Jin Long Continent, located in the Jin Long Pagoda...

"What on earth is the Xiao Family thinking? Have they lost their minds?!" someone exclaimed.

"What's so special about that particular line that they're so stubbornly sticking to it?" another person questioned.

"Are they intentionally causing trouble with this?" a leader pondered, feeling perplexed.

The esteemed leaders of Jin Long Continent found themselves in a state of confusion.

The once-respected Xiao Family seemed to have gone mad, playing an enormous prank on them.

"What are we going to do about this?" one leader asked.

"Forget it, if that's how they want to play, we'll play along!" another leader declared.

"Open all the gates and let them all in! I don't care who they are, just allow them entry!" the leader commanded.

"But what if criminals manage to get in?" someone voiced a concern.

"Hmph, we're bound to have a few occasionally. I don't care," the leader dismissed.

"We'll increase security within Jin Long Continent."

...

Everyone present was left speechless at the leader's decision.

It appeared that the leader was truly enraged this time.

"Hurry up and carry out the orders!" the leader demanded.

"Yes, Leader!"

"The higher-ups have decided to let them all in without inspection!" the messenger informed the guards.

"What?!" The guards were shocked.

"Hurry up! The Leader is truly furious this time!"

"Yes!"

The people in the line were astounded by the unfolding events.

Were they being allowed in without inspection?

It seemed that this matter had angered the authorities to such an extent that they no longer cared.

Jin Long Continent was flooded with a massive influx of people, entering without any hindrance.

Xiao Fang felt as if he would cough up blood.

"Damn it! All this trouble for nothing!"

"I've sacrificed my reputation, and what do I get in return? Nothing!"

"Long Zhong, I won't forget this! After all this is over, I'll definitely lodge a complaint against you! Just wait and see!" Xiao Fang cursed the leader of the Jin Long Pagoda.