Chapter 1：Not surnamed Long, named Tianfan

Many yearn to be born in a sacred land of martial arts, to possess immense power and abundant resources from birth. 

However, Tianfan longed for the opposite. He wished to be born into an ordinary family, to live a simple, carefree life. But fate had other plans, casting him into the imperial family of the Longteng Dynasty, one of the seven martial sanctuaries, where he was born as the seventh prince.

"Your Highness, the emperor summons you. The Grandmaster has returned; you are to pay your respects," a guard at the door announced with indifference, lacking the slightest hint of respect.

"I see. You may go." A soft voice answered from within the room. The guard sneered before leaving carelessly.

In the center of the room stood a young man clad in a purple robe. He was not robust, rather lean and delicate in appearance, his handsome features framed by a cascade of long, dark hair. This was Tianfan, the seventh prince of the Longteng Dynasty. Since his birth, he had been unable to cultivate, and for the past twenty years, he had seen nothing but cold disdain and scorn in the palace.

At that moment, Tianfan was reading a book. Hearing the guard's words, he furrowed his brow slightly, set down the *On the Way*, and headed outside.

When he arrived at the grand hall, the emperor, Long Aotian, dressed in golden dragon robes, was chatting with an elderly man. Three other princes, each clad in fine purple-gold attire, were already standing there. Their youthful vigor was evident in their bright eyes and imposing postures, two of them having reached the Cloud Sky stage of cultivation, an impressive feat even if they were only at its initial level.

In the Shenwu Continent, cultivation realms are divided into five stages: Foundation, Spirit Focus, Cloud Sky, Primordial Harmony, and Return to Immortality. Long Aotian had already reached the pinnacle of the Primordial Harmony stage.

"Greetings, Father. Greetings, Grandmaster," Tianfan greeted with a calm tone as he entered the hall, bowing to the two men.

Long Aotian's gaze briefly swept over him without a word. Of the three princes, two displayed overt disdain, while one shot Tianfan a mischievous smile.

"Well then," Long Aotian began, "I summoned you all today not only to greet the Grandmaster but also to remind you that the day to honor our ancestors is fast approaching. Prepare yourselves in the coming days. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Father. But there is something I must say," the eldest prince, Long Batian, interjected. "I believe there is no need for someone to attend; it would be an insult to our ancestors." As he spoke, he glanced at Tianfan, contempt clear in his eyes. The second prince, Long Youtian, also looked at Tianfan with a sneer.

"Father, you can't exclude Seventh Brother! I won't allow it!" protested the youngest prince, Long Yuyun. "We are all brothers; you shouldn't speak this way!" 

"Don't compare that worthless being to us, Eighth Brother. It's disgraceful!" Long Batian retorted.

"Indeed, do you even know why he's called just Tianfan, and not Long Tianfan? It's because he's unworthy of bearing the name 'Long'!" sneered Long Youtian, his words dripping with mockery.

"You—" The youngest prince wanted to retort, but Tianfan gently motioned for him to stop, offering a faint smile. Though born in the Longteng Dynasty, his inability to cultivate from birth had alienated him from the family name and subjected him to endless restrictions. Not only did his half-brothers disdain him, but even his own father, Long Aotian, regarded him with contempt.

Tianfan had chosen his own name, signifying his desire for a simple, ordinary life. He didn't claim the family name "Long" because he knew he didn't belong.

He glanced at his two brothers, his expression indifferent. If only he could cultivate, he would have left them half-crippled by now.

"That's enough," Long Aotian said, still not sparing a glance at Tianfan. "Do as I instructed."

Three days later, five iron chariots of gold took to the skies from the Longteng Dynasty.

"Farewell, Your Majesty! Farewell, Grandmaster! Longteng invincible!" Thousands of soldiers raised their swords, spears, and halberds as their roars echoed through the heavens.

With a deafening roar, the five chariots soared into the sky, their blinding light vanishing in an instant.

Tianfan thought to himself, if he could leave forever, it would be a blessing.

As the chariots descended toward an ancient forest, an inexplicable feeling stirred in Tianfan's heart. Every time he came here, he felt it—something deep within the mist-shrouded forest seemed to call out to him.

Ahead loomed a towering altar, atop which stood a colossal statue of a formidable man holding a great halberd. Though merely a stone figure, it radiated an air of supreme dominance, as if the world itself bowed to its majesty.

Long Aotian and the others knelt reverently before the altar, paying their respects.

The old Grandmaster, though he did not kneel, bowed deeply with a solemn expression. He, too, held great respect for the man depicted in the statue—a man who, in the chaotic darkness of ancient times, had founded this vast martial sanctuary with not only immense strength but unparalleled wisdom.

As they recited sacred chants, a serene, holy atmosphere enveloped the altar, purifying their souls.

When it was all over, Long Aotian rose and bowed once more to the stone figure, followed by the princes, including the usually mischievous princess, Long Yueying, who stood quietly by.

"The scripture is remarkable... truly extraordinary," the Grandmaster finally remarked with deep reverence.

"If you wish to study it, I will offer it to you at once," Long Aotian replied, momentarily stunned. He had always believed it was merely a ceremonial text, as had his predecessors. But to hear the Grandmaster speak of it so highly—it might be worth studying further.

"No need," the Grandmaster said calmly. "It holds no value for me." His gaze drifted beyond the altar to the mist-shrouded forest ahead. "Are you ready?"

Long Aotian nodded solemnly, turning his eyes to the forest as well.

Tianfan followed a few steps behind, the strange feeling growing stronger. The mystical forest ahead, cloaked in eternal mist, pulsed with an inexplicable energy, as though something within it was calling him.