The Sect Leader entered with steady steps, his face marked by sternness and authority. His eyes landed on his daughter, and he spoke in a low, cold tone:
"What are you doing, Cha? Are you accepting this servant?"
Cha looked up at him, tears welling in her eyes. Her voice trembled as she cried out:
"Father... what are you saying? This is Long!"
Her father snapped:
"You fool. He is not your husband. But… he did save you. I won't disgrace him. Instead, I'll give him a chance."
He turned to Long and said:
"Young man, because of what you've done for my daughter, I'll appoint you as her personal guard. But you're far too weak. If you wish to keep that position, you must train."
Long smirked with sarcasm:
"Is that even a question, Sir? If you want a strong man, he must train."
The Sect Leader chuckled:
"Clever, aren't you, my daughter's new guard? You'll undergo intensive training for six months. By the end, you must reach at least Stage Two of the Qi Refinement realm. Otherwise… forget your place."
Cha spoke up with passionate certainty:
"Father, I'm sure Long is both strong and smart! Isn't that right?"
"Yes, of course... Now, leave him to rest."
Everyone exited, leaving Long alone in the room. He muttered to himself:
"What the hell am I doing with these fools? But... it's fine. I really do need the training resources. Who would've thought a king like me would end up as a guard?"
He slammed his fist on the bed—missing his target and hitting the frame, causing a jolt of pain. But he laughed maniacally:
"This is only the beginning. I won't stay like this for long. I still have techniques from my past life… I'll use everything. First, I recover. Then, I train. Hahaha!"
---
Two weeks later…
A sect maid led Long to the training grounds. Though small, the area was crowded. The land was split between soft green grass and gleaming white marble. Towering mountains encircled the place, bathed in the blazing sunlight.
Dozens of trainees filled the field, drenched in sweat under the commands of ten instructors—all of whom had reached the first stage of Bone Tempering. But Long looked at them with disdain, as if they were children wrestling in the mud.
One instructor, who secretly harbored feelings for Cha and despised Long, stepped forward. He whispered to one of his students—already in the third layer of Qi Refinement:
"Hit him hard. Show him his place."
The student grinned and rushed at Long, throwing a fierce punch.
Long took a single step back, then lifted his head. His eyes flared with terrifying rage. Suddenly, a murderous aura exploded from him, freezing everyone in their tracks.
With a loud shout, he activated a technique from his past life:
"Ghost Movements!"
In less than a second, he moved four times in rapid succession:
He broke the student's arm, spun behind him, slammed him into the ground, then returned to his original spot.
But his body couldn't endure it. He collapsed unconscious.
A heavy silence followed.
Then, one instructor screamed:
"LONG!!!"