“This is…”

“The Seven Stars Pendant?”

What appeared before Gu Xiu was an ancient-looking jade pendant. Upon closer inspection, it was carved with the image of the Big Dipper.

The most peculiar thing was that this jade pendant carried a special and intricate power. Although it was an inanimate object, staring intently at the Seven Stars Pendant made one feel as if the seven stars were shimmering and moving along a celestial trajectory. Yet, upon a second glance, the pendant seemed to have never moved at all.

Gu Xiu’s eyes were filled with astonishment. He recognized this jade pendant. Or rather, in that dream spanning ten thousand years in a glance, he had witnessed this object shining brilliantly.

This object was called the Seven Stars Pendant. Its origins and forging method were unknown, but it possessed an extremely special and powerful function.

Seven Stars Break Formation!

The Big Dipper carved upon it could see through countless great formations. No matter what kind of trap the wearer encountered, this object could help its master find a way out. It was profound and marvelous beyond compare!

In that dream, this Seven Stars Pendant was Jiang Xun’s treasure. He, too, had relied on the power of the Green Bamboo Rod to fish it up. After obtaining it, the pendant had helped Jiang Xun resolve countless crises and break through myriad formations, allowing him to seize endless opportunities!

But now, this pendant had been obtained by Gu Xiu ahead of time! And…

“I remember, in that dream, my little Junior Brother spent a full three days fishing for this Seven Stars Pendant.”

“Why was it so smooth for me?”

Gu Xiu couldn’t help but feel curious. Holding the Seven Stars Pendant, he felt a warm sensation emanating from it. He even wondered if it was an illusion; he felt as if the pendant was continuously releasing goodwill towards him, eagerly hoping for him to use it.

This… Gu Xiu found somewhat strange.

“Is it because this pendant originally belonged to me, or is it because my Dao Heart resonates with it?”

This question was destined to remain unanswered. Gu Xiu stopped overthinking it and immediately pricked his finger, letting a drop of essence blood fall onto the jade.

The moment the blood landed, it was completely absorbed!

Blood recognition and ownership binding—success!

…

Just as Gu Xiu obtained the Seven Stars Pendant, a thousand miles away at the Qingxuan Holy Land.

On Chuyun Peak.

Jiang Xun, who was sitting cross-legged refining his Sword Heart, suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood.

His originally steady aura abruptly scattered. In his eyes emerged traces of shock and disbelief.

“Why?”

“Why do I feel that some opportunity that should have belonged to me has been snatched away by someone else?”

He didn’t understand why he suddenly felt this way, but the feeling was overwhelmingly strong, making him extremely uncomfortable deep inside. Even the Sword Intent he had been refining nearly went astray.

It wasn’t until he spat out another mouthful of blood that the congestion in his chest finally dissipated. However, the sensation of loss still lingered, gnawing at him.

It even caused a few flashes of sinister ruthlessness to appear in his eyes.

“Who is it?”

“Just who is it?”

“How dare they seize my opportunity!”

However, this expression only appeared for an instant before vanishing without a trace. Because outside the door, a knocking sound came, accompanied by a concerned inquiry.

“Little Junior Brother, Senior Sister sensed a change in your aura. Did something go wrong with your cultivation? Are you alright?”

“Thank you for your concern, Senior Sister. This Junior Brother is fine.”

Jiang Xun hurriedly got up and opened the door. Seeing his Third Senior Sister Xu Wanqing standing outside, he immediately revealed a smile as gentle as a spring breeze.

“Thank you for your concern, Senior Sister. This Junior Brother just had a sudden feeling that his Dao was lacking something. He was momentarily inattentive and thus acted this way. It’s nothing serious now.”

“Dao lacking something?” Xu Wanqing was taken aback, somewhat worried.

Jiang Xun smiled instead. “Senior Sister need not worry. It’s just a demonic thought troubling your Junior Brother’s heart. It’s fine now.”

“Demonic thoughts are no small matter; you must not be careless.” Xu Wanqing shook her head and took out a pile of bottles and jars containing pills, handing them over. “These are all calming and soul-stabilizing elixirs. Take them as needed, Little Junior Brother.”

Jiang Xun felt joy in his heart, but on his face, he wore an expression of hesitation. “Senior Sister, this… I’ve already used so many of your pills from before; how can I take more? Moreover, these elixirs are incredibly rare themselves; this…”

“Take them. Why be so polite with your Senior Sister?” Xu Wanqing ignored his refusal and stuffed all the pills into Jiang Xun’s hands.

“Senior Sister…”

“You are my Little Junior Brother. If your Senior Sister’s pills aren’t given to you, should they be given to outsiders instead?”

“But…”

“Take them. No matter what your Dao is lacking, whatever it is, Master and your senior sisters will give you the best. Even if it means exhausting all resources of the Qingxuan Holy Land, we will make up for it for you!”

These words naturally made Jiang Xun feel grateful once again.

And coincidentally, these words were heard by Qin Moran, who had just arrived at Chuyun Peak intending to find Jiang Xun to relax her mind. It caused an inexplicable pain in her heart.

She thought of that figure she had seen in the mirror before.

Jiang Xun received everything from the sect.

But… what about Gu Xiu?

He has already left the sect now; his life or death is unknown. If he has also stepped back onto the path of cultivation… does he have resources to cultivate?

These thoughts arose, making Qin Moran’s already troubled heart feel even more distressed.

However, after a moment, Qin Moran suppressed all those messy thoughts. An expression of cold indifference reappeared on her face.

“Gu Xiu helped me before, but he ultimately severed my Dao path. I cannot let my heart and thoughts be disturbed because of him.”

“He is already in the past!”

“And I… cannot possibly be wrong!”

Thinking this far, Qin Moran turned around; her expression returned to its usual aloofness. But glancing over at Jiang Xun, who was still chatting politely with Third Senior Sister Xu Wanqing…

Qin Moran ultimately did not step forward but instead turned and left alone.

Even she couldn’t clearly explain why she turned and left.

…

Meanwhile, on the other side, inside the carriage compartment, Gu Xiu had now completed binding ownership with the Seven Stars Pendant.

However, his eyes held no surprise, no excitement, only calm steadiness as placid as water. Whether the opportunity originally belonged to him or to Jiang Xun was unimportant to Gu Xiu.

Because he understood: This was merely the beginning!

After witnessing the dream spanning ten thousand years, Gu Xiu knew all those opportunities thoroughly. Naturally, within the next ten thousand years, he would try to retrieve those opportunities that once belonged to Jiang Xun, one by one.

Although after abandoning the sect spirit contract, the enmity between him and the Qingxuan Holy Land had dissipated completely, regarding his Little Junior Brother, he had never forgotten.

This Little Junior Brother had usurped the magpie’s nest, schemed exhaustively, and finally managed to seize large amounts of Gu Xiu’s original opportunities and everything else.

Although the past was merely fleeting clouds and he had long since let go, letting go didn’t mean that upon meeting again, he would cordially call him “Little Junior Brother” and release everything from the past.

That was impossible.

Sooner or later, the day would come when he would hold a three-foot green blade, ascend the Qingxuan Holy Land, and slay him!

Therefore, it was indeed difficult to stir more emotional fluctuations within him. He could become stronger still!

While Gu Xiu re-entered his cultivation state, the caravan continued moving forward, never stopping.

Suddenly, it halted.